TWO MORE JOIN THE RACE FOR CAPE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Two more candidates have filed for seats on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education. Four candidates are vying for two seats on the board.

Cape Girardeau dentist Robert Fox and social worker Addie Marie Walker have joined the race.

They join incumbent Pat Ruopp and Steve Naeter as candidates for two three-year terms on the school board. Filing remains open until Feb. 1. The election will be held April 5.

Gwen Bennett, whose term on the school board expires in April, has said she will not seek reelection.

Fox, 2418 Saddleridge Lane, chaired the facilities committee of the 1991 Project Partnership. He was unsuccessful in a bid for the school board in 1988.

Fox said every year he is asked by community members to run for a seat on the school board.

"The interest has always been there," he said. "In the past I've been an officer in the dental association and felt I didn't have the time. Although I'm still on the board of trustees for another year, I felt like I have the time now.

"I think, other than an incumbent, I have more knowledge of the goings on and general operation of the school district and I think that's a big plus," Fox said.

Fox said his experience with the Project Partnership committee provides him some insight into the operation of the district.

"It was a real enlightening experience," he said. "I have a lot more knowledge of what is there, what's not there and what needs to be done."

Fox said, "The public spoke twice that they did not want to build new schools. I feel it's time to move on. There are still lots of upgrades that need to be made and we can't do any of them without funding. Even if we don't come back and build new schools, we need to raise enough money to upgrade and maintain what we have.

"If we want to keep what we've got, people have got to realize we need the funds to do that."

In addition to the facility needs, Fox said, "I think the overwhelming number one issue is elementary overcrowding. The elementary level is the place you have got to have smaller classes."

His wife, Connie, teaches at Central High School. He has two sons. One is a student at Southeast Missouri State University. The other is a sophomore at Central High School.

Fox is a member of the Chamber of Commerce small business and health services committees, the Noon Optimist Club, Central High and Southeast booster clubs, and Grace United Methodist Church.

Walker, 421 Mill Street, said a recent school reconfiguration proposal prompted her to seek a seat on the school board.

"Basically that was one of the issues that got me thinking. I would like to add a new perspective," she said.

"I have children in the school system and have concerns," Walker said. "You can't make changes from the outside. It's not that I'm trying to change the system, but I think a fresh perspective and new ideas are good."

Walker works as a social worker for the Missouri Division of Family Services. She works with the Caring Communities project at May Greene Elementary School.

The program targets children at risk of dropping out of school. "It is preventive service work," Walker said.

"I work with children on a daily basis and see some of the needs they have," she said. "I work with parents and hear their concerns. I feel I can verbalize those concerns."

She grew up in Kennett and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

"I think Cape is a fine city with a good atmosphere to raise children. But anything we can add to it to improve it is good."

"Basically I want to see that all the children are getting a good education and that the curriculums are good for all the kids, not just one group of children," Walker said.

She is a divorced parent, raising five children. One attends Southeast Missouri State University. Another is a high school senior, two attend elementary school and one pre-school.

Walker is also a member of Futrell Temple Church of God in Christ.