CAPE SCHOOLS ESTABLISH PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH BEHAVIOR DISORDERS

Changes in the special education program at Cape Girardeau public schools could create enough space for all-day kindergarten programs in the elementary schools.

Monday, the Cape Girardeau Board of Education approved a new program for elementary students with behavior disorders but it is still considering the all-day kindergarten program.

The Interagency Proactive Learning Center is actually a project the district has been considering for about three years, said Betty Chong, director of special education for the school district.

It is an alternative for special education students with chronic behavioral or emotional problems, Chong said.

No such program exists in the district. IPAL will allow six students to spend their days in an intense program suited to their needs without disrupting any classroom. The program will be housed in the basement of the Division of Youth Services building near Washington Elementary School, Chong said.

"It's taking the more serious students and putting them in the most intensive therapy," she said.

The program would use resources from DYS, the Division of Family Services, Community Counseling Center, Caring Communities Council and Cape Girardeau Police Department.

By restructuring the behavioral disorders program in the district and moving one classroom off campus, the board created additional classroom space that can be used for all-day kindergarten programs.

The school board has not approved an all-day program yet, but is still considering the benefits and costs of full-day kindergarten classes.

Creating necessary space for all-day kindergarten classes was a concern when the board first considered the program, but a change in the special education program freed up some space, said superintendent, Dr. Richard Bollwerk.

Although the district is losing some Title 1 funds, an incentive from Senate Bill 380 could help offset costs of starting an all-day program.

"The teachers feel it's important for educational benefits," Bollwerk said.

Some parents are still confused about whether the all-day program will begin in 1996 and if it will be detrimental to other students.

In order to create an all-day kindergarten at Alma Schrader, class sizes in other grades might grow, Bollwerk said.

Scott Tufts, a parent whose children attend Alma Schrader, asked the board to consider some alternatives.

"What do you do when the class size is back up over 25?" Tufts asked, adding that the problem shouldn't be addressed in August after school begins.

In other business, the board approved a three-year waiver for the school breakfast program at Jefferson and Franklin schools. The schools do not presently have breakfast programs, which were mandated by education reform bill SB 380.

However, the waiver doesn't require the district to wait three years before beginning a program, Bollwerk said.

"We can start it later when we are ready," he said.

Arranging bus schedules and student supervision would be problems if the program started in 1996, said Lisa Elfrink, food services director.

"It's not just getting them there, but it's getting time to feed them," she said. "We can find the space and the money, but having the bodies is the biggest hurdle."