Finding ways for more community involvement in the schools, showing more support for teachers and staff, better planning for building needs and maintenance and continuing a strong education for students in Cape Girardeau were all identified as challenges that face the school district.

And if chosen to fill a vacancy on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, seven people pledged to make a difference for the city's public schools. Candidates were interviewed by the board during a meeting Monday at Central Junior High School.

The board must appoint someone to fill a vacant seat opened by David Goncher's resignation Aug. 8. Goncher was first elected to a three-year term. The candidate chosen to fill his seat will serve until an election in April, where voters will select someone to fill a one-year term.

Board members spent 90 minutes asking questions of Trae Mitten, Mary White, Melvin Gateley, Mark Strickland, Ferrell Ervin, Steve Trautwein and Charlie Haubold. Candidates were asked the same series of questions about their interest in the position, familiarity with the district and school laws and finances, strengths and weaknesses they would identify in the district and goals to be addressed.

* Mitten said the district's strengths are in its resources, both in faculty and staff and in the community. But the challenge is creating "that Friday night football crowd that you see around the area" when entire communities come out to support their schools.

The more you build relationships between the school and the community, the more successful the district will be, he said.

* White agreed and believes the district has to work better at telling people about the good things happening in schools.

"If we aren't telling about the quality instruction and supervision and teaching, who is going to tell that story?" she asked.

White, who has worked with the booster club, said the district needs to build ownership and support among community residents.

"So that when we do have to ask for funding or have an issue, they have favorable thoughts," she said. "We don't have to start at square one six months before an election."

* Gateley has already worked with the district in helping educate voters about bond issues. As a former administrator, he understands the school's finances and regulations, he said.

Gateley wants to see the board make improvements to the salary schedules and "stay focused to maintain the course outlined in the master plan."

* Strickland has worked with schools in building projects and would like to see the district develop a good long-range plan to address building and maintenance needs.

"I want to assure that good, quality education continues," he said.

A strong curriculum is an advantage for the district, but in public perception it still seems to be a weakness.

"I'm excited about the opportunities that my sons will have because they attend school in the district that I didn't have with a more rural district," Strickland said.

* Ervin, a former board member, said the district has seen a rebirth.

"It's a city where people have seen good schools become even better."

A former board member and president, Ervin admitted there might be some concerns about his possible appointment, but that he hoped the board and community could move ahead.

"We don't need to dwell on what happened yesterday or last week or six months ago but what is there that tomorrow will bring?" he asked.

Ervin said he hasn't ruled out running for election should he be appointed to fill the remaining six months of the term.

Working with the schools has been some of the most satisfying and rewarding work ever for Steve Trautwein.

He said, "Maybe I was very selfish in applying but I feel a lot of personal satisfaction" in working with the schools.

* Trautwein would like to see more parental involvement at all the schools. The quality of the teaching staff is a definite strength, he said, but the public perception still exists that the district's elementary schools aren't equitable.

"We need to dispel that perception," he said.

* Haubold wants to help make Cape Girardeau a better city by building a better school system.

The No. 1 item new businesses look at when visiting the city is its schools, he said.

Retaining students to finish 12 years of their education should be a goal for the district. And with the addition of a Career and Technology Center, the district should be poised to offer an educational opportunity to every child.

"They can go out and be a viable part of society and find their niche," he said. "I'm proud of it and the Cape public schools should be proud of it."

Board members were surprised at the turnout of people interested in filling a vacancy on the school board. Mark Carver encouraged the candidates who aren't appointed to file for election.

"I want to see every one of your names on the ballot," he said.

Board president Dr. Bob Fox said the members will seek input from the community before making a decision. Board members will rank their top three choices and an appointment is expected at the Sept. 17 meeting.

"I don't mean to make these people antsy, but we need time to digest this and get input," Fox said. "We've never done this since I've been on the board and we need some time to get input and at the same time try to be equitable."

Who are they?

One person will be appointed to fill the remainder of the term vacated by David Goncher's resignation. An election will be held in April for a 1-year term on the board.

Lyman "Trae" Mitten

Age: 29

Occupation: Academic adviser for student support services at Southeast Missouri State University.

Personal: Married, two children.

Mary White

Age: 48

Occupation: Quality assurance counselor for Disability Determinations. Earned a degree in education.

Personal: Married, one son.

Melvin Gateley

Age: 75

Occupation: Retired school administrator, former city councilman.

Personal: Married, two children

Mark Strickland

Age: 31

Occupation: Mechanical engineer at Strickland Engineering

Personal: Married, two sons.

Dr. Ferrell Ervin

Age: 54

Occupation: Teaches mass communication at Southeast Missouri State University.

Personal: Married, two children

Charles Haubold

Age: 55

Occupation: Contractor, building construction. Also serves as chairman of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.

Personal: Married, two daughters.

Steve Trautwein

Age: 58

Occupation: Teaches biology at Southeast Missouri State University.

Family: Married, two daughters, two sons.