SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES EXPRESS VIEWS AT MEETING

Candidates for three Cape Girardeau Board of Education positions gathered for an introductory meeting at Alma Schrader Elementary School Thursday night.

Seven of eight candidates competing for three, three-year school board seats attended the meeting, which was sponsored by the Alma Schrader Parent Teachers Association. Each candidate was given five minutes to address the group of about 70 parents and tell why they were running for office.

Incumbent Bob Blank did not attend the meeting. The Rev. William Bird, also an incumbent, said he had been inspired to run for his first term after seeing the movie "Forrest Gump" three years ago. Bird said he ran for office because of an interest in several issues at that time, but this year he has a different focus.

Said Bird: "I kind of did like Forrest and took off running in response to the issues. I'm running with purpose this time, because I think our master plan is strong, and I think the mission statement that our district has is strong."

Andrew Ostrowski expressed his desire to train tomorrow's leaders. The world has a number of negative issues that needs to be addressed, and only by getting strong leaders involved can students be trained to be leaders, he said. "I'm not running for office for me," he said. "I want to give them the tools to help them make the right decisions in life."

Marty Clay felt his military background and exposure to a variety of experiences would give the school board fresh ideas to work with. "The school district's responsibility is to foster development by providing a broad, challenging and rigorous academic environment," he said.

Tina Trickey said she is concerned that good students are being forgotten by an educational movement that protects students who have discipline problems. Parents, teachers and administrators should work together to support conscientious students because they are the ones who want to be in school, she said. "Our parents took responsibility four our misbehavior in class," said Trickey. "People are so quick these days to point their finger at everyone but themselves."

Sharon Mueller, who recently moved to the school district, expressed a desire to help students. The former Scout leader and room mother said she is seeking office because she has a strong belief in volunteerism and helping students reach their potential. Said Mueller: "I don't have an agenda. As a parent, I just want my children to have the best opportunities possible."

Debra Mitchell-Braxton, who is director of Project Upward Bound at Southeast Missouri State University, said she has had a lifelong interest in education. She wants to help the district develop a detailed vision that supports parents, teachers, students and administrators and helps students meet their academic potential. "Without our teachers and administrators and those that are trying to make the system work, our children would be lost," she said.

Cape Girardeau native Gary McIntyre said his interests were in the district's vocational school, from which he received his high school diploma. "I think it's a good school system," he said. "It needs tweaking, but it's not broke."

School board elections will be held April 6.