SCHOOL BOARD INCUMBENTS UNDECIDED ON ELECTION BIDS

Two Cape Girardeau Board of Education incumbents, whose terms expire in April, are undecided about seeking reelection.

Pat Ruopp and Gwen Bennett said final decisions are yet to be made.

Filing for two three-year positions on Cape Girardeau's Board of Education opens Jan. 4 at 8 a.m. and closes Feb. 1 at 5 p.m.

Ruopp, 1640 Oxford, said Sunday he is considering filing for a fifth term on the school board.

"I haven't made a final determination," Ruopp said. "But I'm considering it."

He was elected to his fourth term on the board in 1991.

Ruopp said he is concerned about the financial health of the school district.

"That is the most important thing on my mind at this time," he said.

Gwen Bennett, 2407 Brookwood, said, "I'm uncertain at this time. I just have a lot of things to consider."

She was elected to her first term in 1991.

Candidates must be a citizen of the United States, a resident taxpayer of the district who has resided in Missouri for one year next preceding the election and at least 24 years old.