SCHOOL PANEL PLANS TO GO AHEAD AFTER 3 SWORN IN

Handshakes, introductions and congratulations preceded and followed a five-minute Cape Girardeau Board of Education meeting Friday when three new board members officially took office.

Cape Girardeau's Board of Education is at full strength and ready to move ahead full steam, board president Dr. Bob Fox said.

The seven board members agreed Cape Girardeau is ready to move past controversy. Fox said the first priority will likely be strategic planning involving lots of community input.

On Friday, Cape Girardeau Circuit Court Judge Bill Syler administered the oath of office to Bob Blank, Harry Rediger and Dr. C. John Ritter.

The county commission appointed them to the school board Thursday.

The commission got the job of appointing school board members through a rarely used state law. When more than two board vacancies exist, the county commissioners are responsible for picking the new members.

Amid controversy, school board members John Campbell, Kathy Swan and Pat Ruopp resigned during a week's span.

On April 4, Terry Taylor and Dr. Ferrell Ervin were elected to the board to serve with Fox and vice president Steve Wright.

Wright said Friday, "We have seven members again and everything is going to run smoothly."

Taylor agreed. "We've got a new beginning and that's great," he said. "I was disappointed at what happened in the beginning, but I think it's all turned out for the best."

Ervin said, "We're ready to move forward."

Amy Randol, the school patron who raised questions about school finances, said she was "very hopeful that things will move forward and in the right direction."

The board meets May 6 for an orientation session to give the new members a chance to meet administrators and learn a little about the operation of the school district. The next regularly scheduled board meeting is May 8 at 6 p.m. at 61 N. Clark.