CAMPAIGN FOR SCHOOLS KICKS OFF THURSDAY

A pep rally Thursday will kick off a campaign for passage of a 69-cent tax increase for Cape Girardeau schools.

The kickoff will begin at 6 p.m. at Central High School auditorium. The campaign culminates with an April 1 election.

"We are concentrating on the positive," said Julia Jorgensen, a teacher at Central High School. She is with the Renaissance Program, which is putting the kickoff together.

"I think listening to the presentations on Thursday will show how many groups are supporting this," said Jorgensen. "We have got to have better schools."

Voters are being asked to approve two ballot measures:

-- A $14 million bond issue to fund a new vocational-technical school, a new elementary school and improvements at other district schools.

-- A 30-cent property tax increase to repay the bonds.

Voters also will be asked to waive the Proposition C rollback, resulting in a 39-cent tax increase. This money would be used to fund operation of the new buildings and other improvements outlined in a 10-year master plan for the school district.

Organizers have calculated that at least 5,500 yes votes are needed to pass the ballot issues, and they are gathering pledges of yes votes toward that goal.

As pledges are collected, bricks on a symbolic schoolhouse will be painted. The schoolhouse will be situated in front of the district offices at 61 N. Clark. People can drive by and gauge support for the proposals.

Jorgensen said the PTA and other organizers hope to have 500 to 600 people at Thursday's kickoff. People will be asked to pledge their support and to solicit other yes votes among people they know. Organizers hope to paint the first level of the symbolic building Thursday night.

The theme is Celebrating Children. Mark Cook, sixth-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School, will be host. The flag will be presented by VFW Post 3838 members. The pledge of allegiance will be led by May Greene student Dontay King. Three students from Louis J. Schultz School will lead singing of "The Star Spangled Banner": Brandy Baker, Katie Edmonds and Amy Rauls. Both the pledge and the anthem will be presented in sign English by fourth- and sixth-graders from Jefferson Elementary School.

Elected officials, including state Sen. Peter Kinder, state Rep. Mary Kasten and Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III, are scheduled to endorse the issues.

In addition, representatives from community organizations will talk about benefits the community would realize if the measures pass.

Also during the event, a model schoolhouse will be constructed on stage with community representatives, teachers, parents and students helping put up the walls. Students will talk about what a new building could mean.

Board president Bob Fox will place the roof on the school, and Superintendent Dan Tallent will add the cupola to finish the building. The high-school chamber choir will sing "In the Mood."

Following the ceremony, a showcase celebration is planned in the high school's old gym.