THREE ELECTED TO SCHOOL BOARD

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Long-range planning tops the agenda for three newly-elected members of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.

Voters Tuesday chose incumbent Patrick Ruopp for a fourth, three-year term. Gwen Bennett was also chosen for a three-year term.

Lyle Davis was elected to a one-year, unexpired term on the board. The seat was vacated by Benjamin Lewis, who is now an associate circuit judge.

Bennett earned the most votes of the three candidates seeking the three-year term. She collected 2,393 votes. Ruopp came in second with 2,241 votes, and a third candidate, Daniel Dunavan, received 1,354 votes.

Davis, who got 1,900 votes, easily outdistanced his two opponents: Julia Cowsert, with 735, and Sandy Bonner, with 711.

Ruopp said: "It's a good feeling to know the voters have confidence in you and what you're trying to accomplish on the board. That feels good.

"I'm really looking forward to our new superintendent. More than anything, that is why I wanted to be re-elected," Ruopp said. "I think Cape Girardeau will see a lot of innovation."

Ruopp said one of the first things new superintendent Neyland Clark probably will initiate is a long-range plan for the district. "I think that will be the direction from the board."

Ruopp said the decision to hire a consultant to coordinate the superintendent search for the district was largely his idea.

"I took a lot of heat as a result," Ruopp said. "But it turned out to be an excellent process. So, as it turned out, it proved to be a good decision on the part of the board, although it was not popular with the people.

"Again, from that aspect, I feel good about the trust the voters have put in me."

Now that the election and the search for a new superintendent are over, Ruopp said the board will be back to business. "I think one of the foremost issues in the district is a formation of a search committee for the football coach."

Bennett said a long-range plan likely will be a top priority for the new board, which meets the first time April 9 at Hawthorn School.

"I think that was a vein the new superintendent echoed in the public interviews," she said. "The principals and administrators I have visited with over the past months have all echoed that need.

"It seems everyone is on the same page. We see a need for long-range planning. But there will be a lot of discussion, input and dialogue before we get to the specifics of the plan.

"At this point I can simply say I will strive to earn the confidence and trust of the patrons of the district," she said. "I feel honored to be able to serve."

Davis said: "I'm overwhelmed by the margin of victory, and I'm certainly pleased. I'm looking forward to working with the sitting board and the new member."

Davis echoed Bennett's comments about the need for planning in the district.

"I think people recognize there is a need for some long-term planning," Davis said. "I think that's paramount.

"Beyond that, people showed a lot of confidence in me. I'm just thrilled and happy and looking forward to the challenge."