Welker's challenge

Jim Welker, the Cape Girardeau School District's superintendent, has been involved in public education long enough to know that there are two overwhelming factors that drive the administration of a school district these days: balancing the budget and meeting Missouri's testing standards for academic performance.

After a full year as Cape Girardeau's superintendent, Welker has become fully immersed in these areas as well as taking on the high school's dropout rate, teacher salary schedules, stipend schedules and a facilities plan. In his spare time, Welker meets with administrators, teachers, students, parents and community organizations.

Welker uses invitations to speak at civic clubs as opportunities to hear what's on the community's mind as well as to share the district's achievements and needs. At those speaking events, the superintendent is knowledgeable and forthright in his presentation and in dealing with off-the-cuff questions.

Serious challenges face the district regarding budget needs and academic performance as measured by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The school board, district employees and taxpayers will be relying heavily on Welker's attention to detail to make sure the district meets the educational needs of all its students.