Cape school board opposes Blunt nominees to State Board of Education

A majority of Cape Girardeau school board members oppose Gov. Matt Blunt's latest nominees to the State Board of Education, contending that the two nominees support the concept of school vouchers that would divert public money to private schools.

At a special meeting Thursday, the school board voted 4 to 2 to formally voice opposition to state board nominees Donayle Whitmore-Smith of St. Louis and the Rev. Stanley Archie of Kansas City. Blunt's nominees need to be confirmed by the Missouri Senate for the appointments to take effect when the legislature convenes in January.

Cape school board member Kyle McDonald was absent from Thursday's meeting. Sharon Mueller, president of the school board, and board members Steven Trautwein, Laura Sparkman and Tom Reinagel approved the measure opposing Blunt's action. Board members Tim Arbeiter and Charles Bertrand voted against taking a public stand.

As a result of the vote, the board will send letters to state senator-elect Jeff Smith of St. Louis and state Sen. Yvonne Wilson of Kansas City opposing the nominations.

Trautwein, the architect of the motion, said the letters will be sent to those two lawmakers because the nominees are from their legislative districts. Those two lawmakers must present the nominees to the full Senate in order for the legislative body to act on the governor's appointments.

Trautwein said the board's political stand isn't tied to any local school district issue. "Our concern is not about Cape Girardeau schools at this time," he said.

"I personally believe it is not a good thing for public education for people who believe in vouchers to be on the State Board of Education," he said.

Whitmore-Smith runs School Choice Missouri, a group that advocates education alternatives like charter schools and tax breaks that would allow low-income families to send their children to private schools in urban areas.

Archie is the senior pastor at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Kansas City and a board member of the city's University Academy charter school.

The state board approves policies governing elementary and secondary public education in Missouri, Trautwein said after the meeting. "There should not be people on there who feel it would be acceptable to use public money for private schools," he said.

At the special meeting, Bertrand argued against taking a political stand. "We are wasting our time," he said, contending that Whitmore-Smith and Archie will be seated on the state board. "You are beating a dead horse."

But Mueller argued that the board should register its opposition to the appointments even if the outcome's already assured. "I agree it's pretty much a done deal," she said.

Arbeiter said the school board should focus on the business of the school district rather than who sits on the state board.

Trautwein disagreed. "I think that is sort of a head-in-the-sand approach," he said.

After the meeting, Arbeiter announced he won't seek re-election to a second term on the school board next year. His decision, he said, had nothing to do with Thursday's board action.

Arbeiter said he decided against running for another three-year term because of family commitments.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123