Cape Girardeau school board approves strategic plan

The Cape Girardeau school board unanimously approved a new five-year strategic plan Monday night designed to improve everything from academic achievement to district facilities and finances.

"That will give us a five-year road map as to where we want to go as a district," superintendent Dr. David Scala told the board after board members approved the plan.

The board's action followed a day-long meeting last Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau Country Club where board members discussed and debated the wide-ranging plan item by item and axed several proposals.

Board member Steven Trautwein called last week's meeting "the most productive board meeting I have ever participated in."

Board president Sharon Mueller said board members should have the plan with them at every meeting.

Monday's board action culminated months of planning by more than 100 school principals, central office administrators, teachers, retired educators and local residents who drew up the initial recommendations.

The plan focuses on six main areas: academic achievement, finance, facilities, at-risk students, school, family and community partnerships and school climate.

The plan calls for establishment of a facilities committee and a finance committee. The committees will be charged with drawing up detailed plans for school finances and facilities.

Board members want a facilities plan that will outline future building needs.

Scala said the two committees likely will be in place by September. Board members want the planning work completed this school year.

The strategic plan states that the district will adopt a five-year facilities plan by next May.

The district also will study the feasibility of establishing a preschool, research the feasibility of year-round school and expand the alternative school to serve fifth- and sixth-grade students who prove disruptive in classes at the Cape Girardeau Middle School.

The plan also makes a commitment to increase teacher salaries to the state or regional average, whichever is higher, within three to five years.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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