Cape Central seeks state grant for Career and Technology Center

Cape Girardeau School District Board of Education members voted Monday, Oct. 24, to apply for a $400,000 grant for the district's Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

The grant would come from the Missouri Area Career Center Opportunity (MACCO) program.

Josh Crowell, assistant superintendent of Support Services, said the grant money requested will be used for additional equipment for and renovation of the center's new fire science program and lab, as well as the construction and automotive technology labs. Other uses for the grant money include geospatial expansion and a basic flight simulator.

MACCO is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and school districts are required to match the state's 75% grant award with a local 25% match.

Crowell also reported on the completion of an annual inspection of all Cape Girardeau School District facilities and grounds as part of the state-mandated Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). He said the district's custodial staff and HVAC technicians are able to complete several high-skills projects in-house rather than seeking bids from outside contractors.

"This allows the district to best utilize resources, prioritize costs and prepare for capital expenditures that would otherwise be unforeseen," Crowell said. "Outsourcing HVAC maintenance or replacement has almost been eliminated."

Crowell said one concern was maintaining the district's grounds during mowing season. He said the district recently lost the use of an outside grounds maintenance provider because of the agency's staffing issues.

"We now utilize our own staff after hours and even on the weekends or summer jobs to help keep up," Crowell said. "We have been fortunate that during the last six weeks we've had drought conditions and mowing has not been too important at this time."

On a lighter note, Crowell reported that students and faculty will be happy to learn that Crispitos are again available. He said he was notified by food vendors last Friday, Oct. 21, of their availability and he immediately placed an order for the district favorite.

James Russell, technology specialist in the Instructional Technology Department, reported that two sets of virtual reality Oculus Quest 2 headsets were set up for use at Cape Central Middle School and two more sets are being prepped for Jefferson Elementary School. Russell said the VR headsets can be used to virtually travel to many places in the world and provide 360-degree views. He said there are also some art programs as well that utilize the equipment and more educational programs are being developed for their use.

Tyson Moyers, athletic director, reported on the district's partnership with the City of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. He said they were merging their sports intramural league programs and are in the midst of implementing a basketball league, for which sign-ups are underway.

"Cape Parks and Rec. have adapted the processes for how they run leagues to accommodate our new venture," Moyers said. "We see it as a benefit for both organizations."

Moyers said the partnership is year-round and includes such team and individual sports as basketball, swimming, soccer, flag football and several others.

Moyers recognized that this partnership will increase the number of teams involved, which then increases the need for more coaches. He said the sign-up forms sent out for students include a section for parents to sign up to be coaches.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to connect with those families that are in the program," Moyers said. "Also, there is a possibility to bring in teachers from the district as well as leveraging the connection we have with the (Southeast Missouri State University) athletic department, having some of their athletes and education majors be coaches as well."