SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TO HANDLE PERSONNEL MATTERS

Cape Girardeau's Board of Education Monday hired six new staff members at a special meeting called specifically to deal with personnel issues.

In addition, the board accepted two resignations and tabled a request for a leave of absence.

Timothy Niggle, the district's new director of human resources, said: "We understood the (regular July) board meeting might be postponed. We wanted to get these personnel issues resolved."

Niggle began work June 20.

James Englehart, director of secondary education, said: "We needed to get these resignations approved so we could go about hiring. The teachers needed to know a decision about their employment status."

New teachers hired include Matthew Boyer, Central Junior High social studies; Tracy Lohmeier, Central High mathematics; Jeffrey Pind, Central High part-time art; and Cheryl Pittman, Central High social studies.

Roberta Zimmer was employed as an elementary librarian and Sara Dotson was employed as a counselor at May Greene Elementary.

Niggle said several positions still remain vacant for the coming school year.

Added to that list is principal at L.J. Schultz Middle School. The board approved Principal Carolyn Vandeven's resignation. Vandeven has accepted a position at Joplin public schools as assistant superintendent.

The board also accepted the resignation of Donald Lang, a vocational school teacher who is retiring.

Diana Rhodes, speech pathologist at May Greene Elementary, had requested a one-year leave of absence. Because Rhodes does not have tenure, board members tabled the matter and asked that administrators consider providing her with an extended maternity leave instead.