SCHOOL BOARD FILINGS BEGAN TUESDAY

Filing for local school board elections began Tuesday at many area schools, although lousy weather caused some schools to postpone their filings until classes reconvene after the first of the year.

In addition, election filings began for numerous other governmental bodies in the area.

Interested candidates have until Jan. 16 to file for the April 3 election, and filing can be done at each school's Board of Education office.

Two incumbents, Ferrell Ervin and Mark Carver, filed Tuesday for seats on the Cape Girardeau School District board.

Five candidates filed for the Jackson R-2 school board -- Donna Tidwell, Kevin Schaper, incumbent Gerald Adams, Mack Illers and James Woeltje.

And in Scott City, two incumbents, Kevin Hillemann and Debbi Miller, filed for the election.

Adams said that although he believes the Jackson school district is on the right track after passage of the junior high bond issue, he still believes there is a lot of work to be done in the school district.

"I think we have some more work to do down the road as far as finances and how the state finances the school district," he said.

Tidwell, who is making her first run for school board, said she decided to run because she feels an obligation to be more involved in her children's education.

"I didn't want to be a person who sat in the background and criticized and didn't do anything," she said. "I want to take a hands-on interest in my children's education. I feel an obligation to help if I can."

Tidwell said she would like the school district to look for ways to help retain good teachers.

She said she also would like the school to develop a master plan outlining long-terms goals.

"I would like to see use hire a consultant to develop a comprehensive plan for the whole district because it's growing at such a fast pace," she said.

To be eligible to run for a school board seat, candidates must be U.S. citizens, a taxpayer of the school district, a Missouri resident for at least a year and be at least 24 years old. Candidates also must know their ward number.

Some school districts, such as Oran, postponed election filings until after the first of the year .

Spring elections

* Jackson aldermen, all four wards, and mayor

* Oak Ridge, two board members, three-year terms

* Allenville, three board members, two-year terms

* Whitewater, two board members, two-year terms

* Delta, two board members, two-year terms (only two wards)

* Health Department board, three members, four-year terms

* North County Fire Protection, one board member,six-year term

* Millersville Fire Protection, one board member,six-year term

* Delta Fire Protection, one board member,six-year term

* East County Fire Protection, one board member,six-year term

* Gordonville Fire Protection, one board member, six-year term

* Cape Special Rural District, one board member, three-year term