School board hopefuls show interest on first day for filings

Incumbents and challengers were among those who filed for school board seats on the first day of filing Tuesday in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City school districts.

In Jackson, incumbent Gerald Adams filed for re-election. Also filing was Dan Stover of Jackson, a retired teacher who now operates an auction service.

Stover taught 27 years in the Jackson School District. "It is all about giving back to the kids. The district has been good to me," he said.

The board will have at least one new member after the April election. Board member Jim Woeltje has announced he won't seek re-election.

Paul L. Nenninger, a Cape Girardeau native who retired from the U.S. Secret Service, filed as a candidate for the school board in Cape Girardeau.

Nenninger said he wants to help the school district. "It comes from the spirit of volunteering," he said.

"I have heard they have trouble getting people to run for school board," Nenninger said.

Nenninger said he believes he could bring some expertise to the issue of school safety.

Cape Girardeau school board members Laura Sparkman and Tim Arbeiter said recently they were undecided about whether they would seek re-election to second three-year terms.

In Scott City, board president Debbi Miller and board member Lisa Schaefer filed for re-election. Miller is completing her 11th year on the board. Schaefer is finishing her first term on the board.

The state-mandated filing period ends Jan. 16.

The Cape Girardeau school board plans to meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday at the board office to advise potential candidates about serving on the board.

The school board has held such meetings annually for several years, but few prospective candidates have attended.