Building plan draws attention in school race

Outdated facilities and crowded classrooms have become a focal point in the Cape Girardeau School Board race, bringing renewed attention to a facility plan.

A draft of a five-year plan was presented in November but has not been discussed formally by the board since. The plan outlined routine maintenance through 2012 and also listed capital projects that could be addressed. Projects include adding classrooms to Clippard Elementary or the high school or renovating the junior high or Franklin Elementary.

While administrators will present a preferred list, the board will have the final say in prioritizing projects. Board members blame a superintendent search and budget issues as preventing the plan from being developed further since November.

However, several candidates in the April 8 election have brought the issue to the forefront again.

"We can't let another six months go by without pinning down some type of priority list. I know it was sent back to committee saying we don't have enough information here, but I think it's time to nail that down a little bit," said Tony Smee, one of seven candidates competing for three slots.

Stacy Kinder has met with several principals to familiarize herself with the district, and "one thing that keeps coming up is the need for classroom space." She said that "apparently there is quite a bit of overcrowding in some schools."

While enrollment has remained relatively stable for the past five years, and the teacher-student ratio has not fluctuated, some schools' enrollment has increased while others have decreased. Clippard Elementary, for example, grew by 3.8 percent between 2003 and 2007, while Alma Schrader decreased by 4.13 percent.

A comprehensive school improvement plan called for a committee to study redistricting, to be complete by January 2008. When asked for a list of committee members and their meeting times, interim superintendent Pat Fanger wrote in an e-mail, "This will be done under the direction of the new superintendent," who begins this summer. The committee was also intended to study the effectiveness of attendance centers, where students are grouped in schools by grade level rather than neighborhood.

According to the comprehensive school improvement plan, the anticipated completion date for the adoption of a facility plan was May 2007.

None of the school board candidates have said how they would prioritize projects or whether they would prefer attendance centers, saying they need more information before making a decision.

The draft of the facility plan was written and presented by Patrick Morgan, the director of administrative services, following discussions with building principals. Several board members said the plan wasn't as complete as they would have liked. Besides a listing of projects, the draft plan gives a broad range of estimated costs and a brief description for project rationale. The possible junior high renovations are listed as being between $9 million to $15 million.

"We don't really feel that plan is complete enough. We feel it didn't go far enough," said Martha Hamilton, an incumbent, at a candidate forum earlier this month.

Morgan resigned effective June 30, meaning developing a more complete plan could fall on the new director of administrative services next year.

Kinder said she would have to be a board member "for a while" before making a decision about priorities. Carrie Beth Smith said she is "guessing the board will have to look at immediate needs rather than do we need a stadium or performing arts center." Hamilton and Gene Magnus think a plan is necessary to help the district during its budget process. Tom Reinagel said, "hopefully we will get to that point. We're talking about some major decisions there."

Board president Dr. Steve Trautwein, up for re-election, said, "I would anticipate there would be the opportunity for community involvement in some way, but right now the kind of discussions the board has had have been mostly with administration."

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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