Three Cape School Board candidates tout experience

The breadth of experience three candidates could bring to the table as members of the Cape Girardeau School Board isn't in doubt as the April 2 election approaches -- but only two seats are up for grabs. One candidate will be the odd man out.

Jeff Glenn, a public relations consultant, Phil Moore, a banker and current member of the school board, and Adrian Toole, a retired chief financial officer of a local company, are vying for three-year terms on the seven-member board.

As with school board elections during the last several years, the current financial state and outlook for public education is a concern for school districts. Student achievement levels for several schools in the Cape Girardeau School District also are in need of improvement when compared with state standards and federal requirements, although progress in some areas -- notably in the district's graduation rate -- has been seen during the last year. Administrators also are working to integrate more technology into the classroom, managing a stricter dress code implemented at the start of the current school year and continuing partnerships with community agencies to improve student behavior and attendance.

All candidates have a vested interest in the school district as current or past parents of students, and they tout years of experience in a business environment and community involvement.

Glenn's effort to join the school board isn't his first. In 2011, he sought an open seat when a member left to take a job in the district as a school resource officer, but he finished second to Deneke Murphy in a board selection process to appoint a new member. Murphy's term ended last year when she came in third in an election with two open seats.

"More than anything else, it's just wanting to serve the community," Glenn said of his current bid.

Glenn is president and CEO of GlennView Strategies, a consulting firm that specializes in governmental affairs, public relations, project development and leadership training. He has been a sales consultant for a local company, served as district director for former U.S. senator Jim Talent and worked for the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce. He has two children who attend Cape Girardeau public schools.

Glenn approaches the role of a school board member as "an advocate for parents," he said.

"I don't believe the school district is served well by board members who try to manage day-to-day activities within the district. I think that's why you hire administrators, and you trust administrators to do that job," Glenn said.

Incumbent Moore hopes to continue serving on the board after one term, during which he said he believes the board has been able to accomplish a lot of good things.

"I think fiscally we are very responsible with the resources we have available to us, and obviously that is a moving target," Moore said. "It's something that seems to be constantly changing."

About programs deemed "underperforming," Moore said he wanted to see changed or eliminated during his last run, he said the board is hearing updates from administrators and continues to look closely at them to make sure they are beneficial for the district.

Moore said he is concerned district procedures sometimes get drawn into the board's policy management. The dress code passed by the board is an example, he said.

"Our charge is really to watch the dollars and make sure they are being spent appropriately, and really setting policies for the district and then holding the administration accountable that the procedures they put in place conform to what policies need to be maintained," Moore said.

Toole said he has time for community involvement now that he is retired after 21 years with Cape Electrical Supply. He no longer has children in the school system -- his three children graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School. Toole was a longtime member of the high school's booster club, involved in coaching youth sports. He serves as vice president of the board of directors for the Industrial Development Authority of Cape Girardeau County.

Toole sees the board and administration making a sincere effort toward improving student performance, but he believes more work needs to be done.

Toole referenced his experience as a financial expert as a reason he would fit in well on the board.

"I have pretty good knowledge of budgets, and I have an analytical mind as well," he said.

The two candidates who receive the highest number of votes in the April 2 election will claim the seats.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.