CAPE SCHOOL BOARD PUTS OFF NEW SCHOOL UNTIL NEXT MONTH

The naming of the newest Cape Girardeau schools elementary facility has been put on hold until February by the Board of Education.

Board members were scheduled to name the facility during a meeting Thursday night. Board member Dr. Bob Fox made the motion to table consideration of a school name due to the absences of the Rev. William Bird and David Goncher from the meeting.

"I would hate to make a decision as important as this without all of us here," said Fox.

An ad hoc committee was organized in the fall to consider recommendations for naming the facility, which is under construction near the intersection of Bertling and Sprigg streets. The building is scheduled to open in August.

The committee submitted six unranked recommendations to school board members. Names being considered include: Margaret Reed, a 40-year Cape Girardeau educator, now deceased; Harry S. Truman, the only Missourian to become United States president; Melvin Gateley, a 28-year Cape Girardeau educator; Mary Wilson, a former Cape Girardeau educator for 50 years, now deceased; Red Oaks, in honor of the indigenous tree grove that once occupied the land where the new school is being built; and Riverview, as a promotion of the Mississippi River heritage of the city and region.

In addition, board member Bob Blank recommended naming the school Barbara Blanchard in honor of the recently-retired principal of Washington Elementary School.