CAPE COURSE OFFERINGS DIVERSE

Two committees studying Cape Girardeau public schools curriculum and finances say the school district has the best offering of high school courses in the region. However, it's also the most expensive.

In order for the school district to fund the program and suggested improvements, it needs more money, the Finance Committee concluded.

The committees were formed in June in response to a budget crisis faced by the district. The school district cut $1 million from the budget. The committees were asked to take a long-range look at programs offered by the school district and what money is available to fund those programs.

The school board will combine the two reports and will discuss what to do next.

The Programs Committee said the diverse curriculum offered by Cape Girardeau schools is a big plus for students and the community.

Courses are available in core subject areas like math and English. Students may also take classes in fine arts, practical arts, physical education and foreign language.

"The Programs Committee views this well-rounded and diverse curricula as a strength in the Cape Girardeau public schools," the committee's report said. "Students are empowered in a wide range of programs specifically developed to meet their educational needs."

In comparison to Jackson, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau has more courses in most areas of study.

In addition, Cape Girardeau's budget is larger and the district spends more on salaries and benefits than those area districts, the Finance Committee found. Cape Girardeau also has a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, which helps to explain why the salary budget is higher.

"Our expanded curriculum yields positive results," the Finance Committee wrote. "Some of these benefits are that our students score higher than the state average on the SAT and ACT tests. Our students have the opportunity to receive college credit for courses taken in high school. And the percentage of our students attending college is higher than the state average."

To fund the current curriculum and to make improvements, the district needs to increase receipts.

In 1997, Cape Girardeau voters approved a tax increase to be used for building projects. An elementary school and vocational school are under construction. A new high school is planned.

"The 1997 campaign dealt with the building needs of the district," the committee said. "The voters listened and agreed with the board's concern."

The committee said the school board should continue using the funds generated by the 1997 tax increase for building projects, as it promised voters.

The committee put forth five suggestions for the school board to consider.

One is the possibility of an operating tax rate increase.

Another is reducing the curriculum offerings to align with surrounding districts.

The committee also included an option of consolidating with another district, like Nell Holcomb for example. If Cape Girardeau consolidated into the Nell Holcomb district, state funding would be provided for students at Nell Holcomb's higher rate.

However, such a proposal would require voter approval in both districts, and Cape Girardeau school board members said it was highly unlikely.

Both committees also looked at Cape Girardeau's policy that gives secondary teachers two preparation periods. Elementary teachers get one preparation period.

Jackson is in the process of phasing out its second preparation period. The other surrounding districts don't offer it.

The Programs Committee said the second preparation period was advantageous.

The Finance Committee recommended a closer look at the cost of the second preparation period and the equity between elementary and secondary teachers.

In addition, the Finance Committee suggests a review of the curriculum and its financial implications.

COMMITTEE FINDINGS

Does the curriculum offered in the secondary program meet the expectations of our community? Yes.

Improvements suggested

1. Keyboarding and word-processing should be offered to seventh- and eight-grade students. Keyboarding should be available at the sixth-grade level.

2. More hands-on computer and technology courses be implemented into the curriculum.

3. An exploratory language program of an introductory nature, should be implemented in seventh-grade. As an example, the program may consist of one segment of Spanish, one segment of French, one segment of Latin or German, one segment of language or literature.

4. Courses should be streamlined by incorporating content into other existing courses to provide challenging, more beneficial programs. Example, four math classes at the seventh-grade level, maybe three would be adequate.

5. Advance Placement courses should continue to be offered so college-bound students have a head start for their education at the college level.

6. More course offerings in the science curriculum at the high school should be available for the middle range of students.

7. A budgetary line item for technology kshould be considered.

Should the district continue to offer the regular secondary education teachers an additional preparation period? Yes.

Why:

1. To insure the quality and depth of the co-curricular programs, clubs and after-school activities.

2. To maintain the ability to deliver the quality of instructional services to the students.

3. To continue to allow additional time within the school day for teachers to work with students experiencing academic difficulties and to provide enrichment or enhanced learning opportunities for more advanced students.

4. To allow teachers appropriate planning time to prepare lessons that are more challenging, provide for more variety of instruction, and assess student performance in a manner that supports the Missouri Assessment Program and performance standards.

5. To maintain teacher morale as long as the district's financial situation allows.

Suggestions? Establish another committee to study alternative scheduling at the secondary level, including block scheduling.

Do the secondary co-curricular activities meet the expectations of our community? Yes.

Finance Committee Findings

-- The district has an expanded curriculum. In comparison to surrounding districts -- Jackson, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff -- our curriculum offers more courses in most areas of study.

-- In comparison with the surrounding districts our total budget is larger. In the area of salary and benefits, our district spends more than any of these districts. All four districts have about as many students.

-- In comparison to the surrounding districts, our district has more certified personnel and a smaller student-to-teacher ratio.

-- Cape and Jackson are the only two districts in the area that have two preparation periods for their secondary staff. Jackson is in the process of phasing the second preparation period out by having new teachers teach six periods instead of five. The committee feels that the phase-out method is not the best approach to eliminating the second preparation period.

-- From the committee's review of the state funding formula it is clear that our district cannot expect any large increase in state funding in the foreseeable future. Any increase in funding for the district must start at the local level.

Options:

-- Perform a combined review of the curriculum and the financial considerations of same. It is difficult, if not impossible, to consider the curriculum of the district without including a discussion of the financial implications of the curriculum.

-- Review the issue of the second preparation period at the secondary level including any financial considerations. The review should include looking at the equity issue between the elementary and secondary staff. A detailed analysis of the potential resources that would be available from the reduction of the second preparation should be made. Any financial resources freed up by that strategy should be reallocated back to the district's salaries and benefits.

-- As the Programs Committee suggested, retain the curriculum and possibly strengthen it. However, this option carries with it the need to increase the district's receipts. Given that the state funding formula does not offer any immediate sources for increased receipts, the board needs to look at the possibility of an operating tax rate increase.

-- Consider consolidating the school district with other districts with the objective of increasing state aid per pupil.

-- Reduce the district's curriculum to align it with the surrounding districts.