SCOTT CITY -- Three residents have thrown their hats into the ring, vying for two open seats on the Scott City school board.

Mike Ruth, Wayne Petitt and Mike Miller will contend for the seats.

Ruth, a former school board member, will be the first name to appear on the April 5 ballot.

After serving a single, three-year term on the board, Ruth lost his April 1992 bid for re-election. Now, he's ready to return, he said.

"I was not able to campaign for the position last time," said Ruth, citing former business obligations that have since been somewhat relieved. "I am actively seeking to win in this election."

Ruth and his wife of 22 years, Betty, have a 16-year-old son who is a junior at Scott City High School. They also have a 20-year-old daughter who is a junior in college. The Ruths have lived in Scott City off and on since 1961.

"When my daughter graduated, I was serving as president of the school board and got to hand her her diploma," said Ruth.

Ruth, an in-house salesman for Headrick Concrete in Sikeston, said he misses being involved with the school board.

If elected, he wants to concentrate on school funding, school improvements and bringing back prayer at the high school graduation ceremony.

The son of one of the outgoing candidates has filed for his father's seat. Jerry Petitt, who served 13 years on the school board, is stepping down, and his son Wayne is ready to fill his shoes.

"I consider myself a civic-minded individual who is concerned with the future of the school system," said Wayne Petitt. "I want to be able to contribute in a positive way to help the schools in any way I can."

Petitt and his wife Kimberly have a 3-year-old daughter. Petitt, who grew up in Scott City and attended Southeast Missouri State University for about three years, works at the Q.C. Corp., on Nash Road.

"My child will be in school in a couple of years, and I want to become involved for her best interest and for the interests of every other child in the district," said Petitt.

"I believe smaller class sizes provide a better learning environment for the students," Petitt said. "I think education should always come first. I agree with the C-minus policy for extra-cirricular activities ... it gears students toward education."

Another recent policy adoption of the school system Petitt backs fully is the gun-free, drug-free zone postings throughout the area.

"Children should be able to go to school in a safe environment," he said.

"The school should be able to ensure the best future possible for our children," he continued. "We need to make sure students are learning the skills they need to prepare them to meet the demands of college or the work force, and we need to get the most out of our tax dollars."

Mike Miller (whose photograph was not available) also has a personal interest in the Scott City school system. He and his wife Debbie have two children currently in Scott City schools, plus two children who have graduated.

"I want to stay active in their schooling and education," said Miller. "I think every child should have the chance to learn as much as they can, and the school system should provide them with every possible opportunity."

Miller, a self-employed contractor, grew up in Scott City.

"I think we've got a real good school system here," said Miller. "I graduated from this school and wanted my children to go through this system, as well.

"But I want to see the school system progress in areas it should be moving ahead for the benefit of the children," he continued. "I just want to see the children get the best possible education we can offer."

One area on which Miller would like to focus if elected is catering to the different learning capabilities of students.

"If a child needs special help learning something because he or she might not learn as fast as other children, then we need to provide those kinds of services," said Miller. "On the other hand, more advanced students should not be held up by slower learners. I hope we can develop a learning environment which can best suit everyone."