Mueller resigns from school board; Scala hopes to fill position soon

Cape Girardeau school board member Sharon Mueller has resigned from the school board, effective immediately.

Mueller has served on the board for eight years. She had one year left on her third three-year term at the time of her resignation.

Mueller said she's resigning because her husband accepted a job transfer to St. Louis. Her husband works for Nestle Purina Petcare Co., which plans to close its cat litter product division in Cape Girardeau this summer.

"Our house is sold. We need to be out by June 5," Mueller said Wednesday.

Mueller said she submitted her resignation Monday in a letter to board president Steven Trautwein.

Trautwein said the board will accept the resignation at its meeting May 21. The board then will begin the process of appointing someone to fill the position until the April election.

Interested people will be invited to submit applications describing their qualifications and why they would like to serve on the board, Trautwein said.

The board then would interview selected applicants at a public meeting before making the appointment, Trautwein said.

The board president said Mueller has been a valuable member of the board.

"She has a lot of background with this board. She is very smart and she thinks well on her feet," Trautwein said. "We are going to miss her."

Mueller, who recently served as president of the board, said the district has made progress in recent years. "This is one of the most exciting times," she said.

Accomplishments

Mueller worked with the school board to implement policies to improve accountability in school operations and in the hiring of superintendent Dr. David Scala. "We have put in place the right leadership," she said.

School officials have been developing long-range plans for district facilities and finances -- a major goal of the school board. Mueller said the appointment of a new member won't change the board's strategic plans.

"We are only going to move forward and operate in a more business like manner," she said. "I truly believe we are on the right track."

Scala said the board will accept applications for the board seat for two weeks once Mueller's resignation has been accepted. To be eligible to serve on the board, candidates must be at least 24 years of age, resident taxpayers of the school district and have lived in Missouri for at least a year, according to the state law.

Under board policy, the board would review applications at its regular June meeting or a special meeting. The board then would select an unspecified number of finalists and interview them at a public meeting.

The board then would make a decision at its next regular meeting. The position could be filled in June or July, Scala said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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