CAPE UPDATE: SENATE BILL 676 INTRUSIVE BY THREATENING LOCAL CONTROL

At the risk of being redundant, this column must again focus on the legislative session that ended Friday.

I have often heard Sen. Peter Kinder, both formally and informally, refer to the intrusive control of government. While there are times I struggle to agree with his unique perspective, it was this legislative session and Senate Bill 676 that highlighted his warning of how intrusive government actually can be.

More concerning, however, is the looseness of how such a piece of legislation, and now law, can be interpreted. This law has been interpreted by Sen. Caskey in a manner contradictory to the interpretation of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

This one piece of legislation has had so many attachments unrelated to the loophole it was designed to eliminate, there is no wonder for the confusion. Equally unfortunate is the fact that many representatives and senators obviously did not understand the complexities of the bill or its potential impact on their respective constituents.

Here again I must commend Sen. Kinder for taking the time and putting forth the effort to genuinely understand the intent of this cleanup bill. At one point Sen. Kinder and Sen. Caskey, author of the bill, were communicating with Cape Girardeau public schools from the floor of the Senate chambers. This concern and attention to the impact of this cleanup bill, which may in itself need cleaning up, is both recognized and appreciated.

Central Boosters, Thank You!

As this very special academic year nears an end, we again relish in the recognition of the achievements of our students, both academically and athletically. This year's All School Recognition Dinner was a huge success. While many will remember the special things about the evening -- Terry Kitchen's "... but what are you inside" speech, or Leroy McCauley winning the Lou Muegge award, or the many other special moments of the evening -- there are three things that should not go unnoticed nor unmentioned.

First, the class of 1994, like many classes before it, has come together as a great group of young people. They have represented themselves and Cape Central Senior High School with grace, dignity and distinction. These students, their parents and the community should be very proud of them.

Secondly, the special evening could not have been possible without the Cape Central High School Booster Club. The members who worked so hard are too numerous to mention without surely leaving someone out. However, a special thanks goes to Jenny Strickland, who masterminded and coordinated the evening under club president Jim Stovall. This year under Mr. Stovall's leadership, the Booster Club has increased its membership to the highest in the history of the Booster Club. They have raised more funds and attempted more projects than ever before. All this translates into more opportunities for our students. To Mr. Stovall, a big tiger thank-you.

Finally, Mr. Milligan stood before the students and parents presenting the academic recognition for the last time as principal of Cape Central High School. He has served Central High well; he will be missed. To an outstanding educator and administrator, we wish him well in his retirement and extend our thanks and appreciation for the many years of dedicated service.

Neyland Clark is superintendent of Cape Girardeau public schools.