Two incumbents off Cape School Board

A tumultuous year for the Cape Girardeau School District spurred change Tuesday, with newcomers Stacy Kinder and Tony Smee defeating two incumbents. Board president Dr. Steve Trautwein was re-elected.

According to unofficial results, Kinder, a former teacher and former president of the Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation, garnered the most votes, 2,090. She campaigned on the platform that all children be challenged in the classroom under No Child Left Behind and acknowledged that some classrooms were crowded. "I'm ready to jump in and help," she said.

Smee received 1,964 votes. The ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration & KMC Construction vice president stressed throughout the race the need for better communication. He said he would like to see the district's Web site updated, a long-term facilities plan enacted, and an update on the goals accomplished in the districts comprehensive improvement plan.

"I think there were people in the community and parents who perceived a lack of communication by the board," he said, but added he thinks people voted for him not only because they want change. "I hope they think I can make an impact," he said.

The district has been hit with several problems the past year, from the termination of superintendent Dr. David Scala to the revelation that a mistake cost the district $700,000 to an audit that found that the district broke two state budget laws.

Incumbent Trautwein kept his seat with 1,797 votes, edging past incumbents Martha Hamilton and Tom Reinagel. Other candidates Carrie Beth Smith and Gene Magnus finished sixth and seventh, with 1,345 and 555 votes, respectively.

"I'm appreciative of voters for allowing me to continue my work with the school board," Trautwein said.

In Jackson, former coach and teacher Bruce Thomas replaced Mack Illers, and incumbents Terri Tomlin and Dr. T. Wayne Lewis kept their positions. The race garnered less discussion than Cape Girardeau's, with most candidates campaigning that the district continue its "academic excellence."

"I think most people are in the same boat -- wanting the district to continue what it's achieved in the past," said Lewis, who has served on the board since 1987.

Tomlin said she was pleased voters "gave me their vote of confidence," and Thomas said he plans on "working hard and doing the best I can" for residents.

Here are the unofficial results elsewhere:

• Oak Ridge: Scott Hahs will join incumbents Tom Schreiner and Linda R. Schoen. David Matthews was defeated.
• Meadow Heights: Incumbent Mike Welker lost by one vote to newcomer Robert Fulton. Incumbent Danny Tallent, formerly a superintendent in Cape Girardeau, was re-elected. Dalton Denman will join the board.
• Woodland: Harley Eddleman will join incumbents Kenny Rhodes and Danny Vangennip. They defeated Dale Long Sr., Meagan J. Baker, Cindi S. Morris and Mike Sitze.
• Leopold: Incumbent Keith Brotherton will serve again, and Bobby L. Jansen and Gina S. Bueter will be added to the board. Scott Seiler and Danny James lost.
• Scott City: Incumbents Wayne Petitt and Sally Porch won, as did Scott Amick, who served on the board previously, defeating Lisa Schaefer, Kevin B. Hillemann and incumbent William Wilthong.
• Oran: Incumbent Larry Chasteen kept his position, but Jerry Lange did not. Newcomers Judi Henson and Lisa May beat out newcomers Michael Pobst and Lisa M. Mills.
• Kelly: Incumbent Becky Wade received the most votes. Greg Birk and Tammy J. Wadlington were elected, beating Joe Stuckey.
• Kelso: Sherri Grojean and Fred Higdon were re-elected, and Gary Reischman finished second. Dorothy Dirnberger was not elected.
• Perryville: Jeff B. Wei- brecht, Scott J. Hotop, and G. Scott Cooper won, defeating James Tolcou, Mancy Voelker, Renee Marie Jackson and Donna Favier. Weibrecht and Cooper are incumbents.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

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