Cape Girardeau School Board action 7/29/08

The Cape Girardeau School Board took the following action Monday night:

• Approved a resolution for board president Kyle McDonald to sign the old Schultz School property deed on behalf of the district. A closing date on the property is set for Aug. 4. Sale price is $1.7 million, or $1.61 million after agent and closing fees. The property previously housed the Alternative Education Center, which is being moved to available space in the district's administrative offices.
• Approved the hiring of a social worker to begin this school year. The cost will be shared with United Way of Southeast Missouri and the Community Caring Council this year. Beginning in year two, the district will be responsible for the full cost.
• Endorsed the Show Me Scholars Initiative. The statewide program partners business professionals with schools. Mentors encourage students to take a set, challenging course of study. Students become eligible for scholarships or grants. The program will kick off in the fall.
• Approved a resolution to prepay a bond series March 1, 2009. By prepaying the $750,000, the district will save interest, the superintendent said. "It places the district in a much better position as we start looking at a no-tax bond issue," said director of finance Misty Clifton. "As we work on a facility plan, we see lots of needs."
• Approved a motion to name the annex at the Career and Technology Center the "Martin Jansen Annex." Jansen was president of Columbia Construction Co. until 2000. Last September, the same motion was brought before the board, but they did not approve it.