ADAMS SEEKS RE-ELECTION, ANOTHER FILES FOR JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD SEAT

JACKSON -- After a week of quiet at the Jackson Board of Education office, two filed for seats on the board.

Incumbent Marvin Adams refiled Tuesday and newcomer Jewell Beauchamp followed on Wednesday. The deadline to file for the two open seats is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Adams said Superintendent Wayne Maupin's upcoming retirement affected his decision to run again. At first, he was hesitant to do so, considering that Maupin would no longer be there to assist the board.

Later, after interviewing several applicants for superintendent, Adams made his decision.

"I'm a lot more interested in the future now," he said. "It will be good to work with someone new who has new ideas for the district."

Adams said he is most proud of the district's growth during his three-year term on the board, during which voters passed a bond issue for the construction of a new middle school. It will be completed in April.

The 54-year-old candidate and his wife, Sally, have two grown children. Adams is a State Farm insurance agent in Jackson.

Beauchamp, 74, comes from a very different background, having taught history and design drafting in the Cape Girardeau public schools for 21 years. His six children attended Jackson schools and he has grandchildren in the district now.

"I just thought that being retired and an ex-schoolteacher, I could do some good," he said. "I have a good idea what teachers' problems are and can sympathize."

Beauchamp said he also knows about money problems and financial limitations.

Board member Jeanette Bollinger, whose seat will become open, said Tuesday she hasn't decided if she will run again.