Three running for two slots on Cape school board

Three candidates are vying for two posts on the Cape Girardeau School Board in April, including incumbents Kyle McDonald and Lynn Ware and challenger Dr. Anthony Keele.

The two candidates with the most votes April 7 will win three-year terms.

Keele, a family physician at Cape Family Practice, said he disagrees with how the school board has managed taxpayers' money over the past several years.

"Instead of complain about it," he said, "I decided to do something about it."

A 1989 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School, Keele has two children who attend the school district and a son who graduated last year.

McDonald (Kyle)

If elected, Keele said he hopes to bring his 26 years of experience with the Cape Girardeau School District, as well as his financial experience from being a managing partner at Cape Family Practice.

"I've had to deal with making budgets, sticking to budgets, dealing with vendors and government agencies," Keele said, adding he has managed dozens of employees and millions of dollars in revenue.

Keele said he thinks some political candidates tell people what they want to hear.

"I don't do that," Keele said, adding he wants to work with school board members to improve the district, but will express his opinions.

McDonald, serving as president for a third time, has been on the board for nine years. He also served as vice president for four years.

Ware (Lynn)

"When I first ran in 2006, I made a promise that as long as I had children in the school district, I would continue to serve the school district in some form or fashion," he said. "I thought the school board was the best way to get involved."

McDonald, the owner of McDonald Insurance Agency, has a high-school senior and an eighth-grader who attend school in the district.

His time on the board has taught him that members have three primary responsibilities, he said, which include supervising the superintendent, establishing and approving school policy and approving an annual budget.

Before voting, McDonald said he asks himself whether the decision is in the best interest of the students. If the answer is yes, he said, that is how he votes.

McDonald said the school board is a "very cohesive" group and has the best interest of the students and the district at heart.

"We're accomplishing a lot of things and moving in the right direction in terms of graduation and dropout rates," he said. "I'd like to see that continuity for the district."

Attempts by the Southeast Missourian to contact Ware for comment were unsuccessful. She has served on the school board since 2012.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639