NEW SCHOOL BOARD IS WELL-EQUIPPED TO MEET CHALLENGES

Just a little over two weeks ago, resignations of three Cape Girardeau school board members landed squarely in the lap of the Cape Girardeau County Commission. With little fuss and muss, the commission proceeded to pick three top-notch replacements to the board.

Out of a storm of controversy, the commission set a tenor of trust for a new Cape Girardeau board of education.

Commissioners Gerald Jones, Joe Gambill and Larry Bock deserve high praise for their handling of this critical task. Openness surrounded the process, and that approach paid off. The names of all 31 candidates were released, and interviews were done in public. The commissioners were inundated by calls from the community. People talked, and commissioners listened. By the time the decision was made, the public felt confident in both the process and the decision.

On Thursday, the commission appointed Bob Blank, Harry Rediger and Dr. C. John Ritter. They are solid choices. That isn't to say the other 28 candidates wouldn't have done a fine job. All of them should consider running for election next April, when four seats will be up for grabs.

The quality of all the candidates was extraordinary. It demonstrates the level of interest in our public schools. The public realized there is a problem, and they rushed to the foreground to help rescue the district. The response should lift the spirit of teachers in the Cape Girardeau schools: Amid the controversy, the public still cares deeply.

Look at the three new board members:

-- Blank brings his business experience as president of Bi-State Oil Co. for 25 years. He also brings past experience as a board member at Trinity Lutheran Grade School.

-- Ritter brings much needed experience to a board with five new members. He admirably served the district 13 years as a board member, beginning in 1971. That includes two terms as board president.

-- Rediger brings considerable business background as manager of J. C. Penney Co. Inc. in Cape Girardeau for the past 19 years. He knows how to manage a large company successfully. He also served as chairman of the finance committee for Project Partnership at the public schools.

The commission didn't seek to balance the board in terms of philosophy, gender or race. That wasn't their charge. That can be left to the voters next April. The commission based its decision on five criteria: qualifications and community involvement, degree of past involvement in community affairs, demonstrated involved in management of assets and capital, narrative during interviews and the ability to be elected, if they choose to run. This sensible criteria led to sensible choices.

These three new board members join Terry Taylor and Ferrell Irvin, who were elected in April. Rounding out the board is Dr. Bob Fox and Steve Wright. Fox is beginning his second year on the board and is the current president, and Wright is beginning his third year.

This board starts with a clean slate. What they lack in experience, they make up in enthusiasm and fortitude. The community is expecting great things from this board of education. Cape Girardeau is ready to move beyond controversy and dissent in its public schools. It is time to work together for the sake of the students, teachers and schools.