WEL-ORGANIZED EFFORT HELPED CAPE SCHOOL TAX

Surrounding school districts can take a lesson from Cape Girardeau on how to pass a ballot issue.

No, Tuesday's election wasn't pretty. It was a knuckle-whitening, teeth-clenching, nail-biting experience for supporters of public education. In the end, district voters decided 51 percent to 49 percent to increase their taxes measurably -- by 58 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation -- to provide better buildings and make teachers' salaries comparable to those in the rest of the area and state.

That's two years and two successful ballot issues for the Cape Girardeau district.

Dr. Dan Steska, superintendent, is to be commended for leading the charge, determined to make our schools the best around and win over those who would move to neighboring districts believing their children would receive a better education elsewhere.

Special thanks also goes to Harry Rediger, a leader on the campaign committee, who was a true believer and tirelessly promoted the issue to anyone who would listen. The system of poll partners, phone calls and reminder postcards clearly was effective.

But the news Tuesday wasn't so good for neighboring Jackson and Perryville.

After failing twice last year, the Jackson School District barely managed in November to pass a $6 million bond proposal for renovations at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School. On Tuesday, the district asked voters for a tax increase of 25 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation for building maintenance and teachers' salaries.

One of the biggest complaints that emerged from opponents was they saw no progress being made on the junior high renovations they approved nine months ago. They reasoned: Why should we pay more when the money we approved last time isn't being spent?

And the campaign to education voters about the tax increase seemed to be lacking.

In the Perryville School District, voters kept with a 27-year tradition of saying no to any school tax increases by voting down a 25-cent increase for each $100 of assessed valuation. Now the Perryville school board is planning to ask again in November and is taking a hard look at what programs could be cut if it doesn't pass then.

School boards are expected to be frugal with taxpayer dollars and do an outstanding job of justifying tax increases.

But technology costs. Enrollment increases cost. And eventually someone has to pay.

Voters should realize, when they pass a reasonable tax increase for education, they are improving the quality of their schools and thus increasing the value of their homes and protecting the future of their communities.