BOUNDARY CHANGES ARE `INEVITABLE'

Cape Girardeau's elementary school districts will be changing regardless of the results of the October ballot.

"Redistricting is inevitable for us," said Superintendent Neyland Clark. "A new building will make it much easier for us to do it."

Clark said if a 51-cent tax increase is approved Oct. 5, construction of a new middle school and addition to Jefferson Elementary School should be complete in 1995. "We would use that construction time to study this thing," he said.

"If we are unsuccessful, we will probably start that process sooner. We would have no new building to look forward to making things easier," Clark said, adding, "Redistricting will be horrendous to do if we are faced with antiquated facilities.

Redrawing elementary school districts and what to do with the Washington, May Greene and L.J. Schultz buildings are interrelated, Clark said.

If the vote is successful, Clark said Washington and May Greene would likely be closed. The Schultz building would be utilized as an elementary school.

"Schultz is safer than Washington or May Greene," Clark said. "Although it does have some problems, it's better, and it is handicapped accessible."

Clark said redistricting is necessary to deal with racial desegregation in the school district. "We have already been in contact with the Midwest desegregation center in Lawrence, Kansas," Clark said.

"We don't have any lines drawn yet," Clark said. "It's a complex issue that will require a tremendous amount of study."