AUDITOR SAYS CAPE SCHOOLS 'MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION'

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education took a look at its past performance and heard administrative plans for the next year during a meeting Monday.

Jeff Schroeder of the Beussink, Hey and Roe accounting firm summarized the audit findings for the 1998-99 school year during the meeting, which was held in the Central Junior High cafeteria. Board members David Goncher and Bob Blank were absent.

Schroeder said no areas of concern were identified in the mandatory report. Financially, the district seemed to be "moving in the right direction" and repairing the dwindling balances created by a deficit-spending trend in recent years, he said.

The district appeared to be in compliance with various state and federal regulations, and grant funding was apparently being spent appropriately, said Schroeder.

"I guess mostly what I have to say is no news appears to be good news," he said. "The numbers are fairly consistent with recent years, and the general fund balance are moving in the right direction and building back to where it was three years ago when we began working with your audit."

During the new educational highlights portion of the meeting, central office administrators presented their goals for the coming year. Superintendent Dr. Dan Steska said the informational session, during which board members learn about various initiatives taking place in the district, will become a regular agenda item for board meetings.

Making presentations during the meeting were Dr. Steve Del Vecchio, business manager; Cathy Evans, assistant superintendent for elementary instruction; and Mark Bowles, assistant superintendent for secondary instruction. Betty Chong, assistant superintendent for special services, was absent.

Del Vecchio said his goals for the year include getting computer labs throughout the district up and running. Wiring for most of the labs is already complete.

Other finance-related goals include considering costs for purchasing uniforms for food service, maintenance and custodial staff; developing an identification card system in school cafeterias; adjusting the pay schedule for maintenance staff to be more competitive with area businesses and hospitals; and upgrading food service equipment throughout the school district.

Bowles and Evans said many of their goals revolved around matching curriculum and instruction guidelines and policies to the state's Show Me Standards. They also will evaluate the district's Missouri Assessment Program test data and prepare for next year's Missouri School Improvement Program review.