CAPE SCHOOL BOARD HAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRULY FRESH START

And then there were four.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education has taken more twists and turns in recent weeks than an Agatha Christie thriller.

On Wednesday, Kathy Swan and Pat Ruopp resigned from the school board. Ruopp had served the district since 1982, Swan since 1992. And just the Friday before, John Campbell stepped down. He was elected in 1990. The resignations leave the board at four members, with the Cape Girardeau County Commission now called upon to fill the vacancies under a rarely used state law.

Much mystery still surrounds the resignations.

Campbell resigned with little comment. He had led the board's effort to regroup financial credibility after allegations of sloppy recordkeeping and careless credit card use. The cards were canceled and stricter regulations were adopted. Campbell had to leave early from the March 31 meeting to evaluate Superintendent Neyland Clark. No one told him a vote would be taken to extend the superintendent's contract. It was. The contract was extended to three years by a 4-2 vote. Campbell resigned quietly a week later.

In contrast, Ruopp and Swan resigned Wednesday amid accusations and posturing. Swan had wanted to be board president, but instead Bob Fox was elected to lead. Swan turned down a nomination to continue as vice president. New board members said Fox's election was symbolic. Swan had been closely aligned to the superintendent and tied to many of the controversies of the past year.

Swan and Roupp didn't get their way, and they didn't want to play. They blamed other board members, this newspaper and negative school patrons for their troubles. What they failed to realize was that decisions they made brought many of the troubles home to roost, beginning with last year's abrupt change in policy regarding who could participate in commencement at Central High School. And claims that new board members don't have the best interests of students and the district in mind just don't hold up. The actions of the last few months have centered on quality and responsibility in the district. Board members and administrators must lead by example.

These three resignations are disappointing. When an individual runs for an office, he or she carries a responsibility to fill out the term. Even if Swan and Ruopp were no longer in the philosophical majority on the board, they could have made a valuable contribution based on their board experience. Bob Fox and Steve Wright proved that this last year.

With the loss of Ruopp and Swan, there have been questions about the experience of the remaining board members. Wright was elected in 1993, Fox in 1994. Both have been certified by the Missouri State School Boards Association, and Fox has been integrally involved in district matters since chairing a Project Partnership committee on buildings in 1991.

The district and community must move ahead. It is good to see the county commission acting swiftly to implement the school board's policy to fill the vacancies. Applications and nominations will be taken through next Friday. The commission hopes to make the appointments by the end of the month.

A key to filling the board with quality people is that quality people must apply. There are many qualified individuals out there well-schooled in education, finance and common sense. A number of highly qualified former board members are also out there. The district needs help. Those appointed will serve until next April's elections.

Attitudes among county commissioners about the process has been impressive. They seem motivated and willing to do the job right. Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, a former teacher, has a master's degree in education. Commissioners Larry Bock and Joe Gambill are well-versed in business and community needs.

Cape Girardeau is ready to put the school board controversy of recent months behind. With top-notch appointments, the new board can move the district forward. There is no mystery about that.