CAPE UPDATE: A POINT OUT OF CONTEXT ON DEBT

During the past week this newspaper printed two articles which conveyed to its readers the alleged desire of the local school board to become indebted. The editorializing was based on a 60-second comment which was made during a three-hour meeting of the Board of Education. The purpose of the Dec. 29, 1993 work session was to discuss the diverse opinions and recommendations made to the board during their request for public input. Unfortunately, what was missed and not reported was the number of ideas presented to the board and the discussion of the perceived educational needs of the children.

A point of clarification! No one on the Board of Education nor in the administration of the school district has an inherent desire to direct the school district to reckless indebtedness. In fact, the evidence reveals just the opposite. In 1991-92 the Board of Education moved to balance a $1.2 million budget deficit and directed the administration to reduce the expenditures of the district accordingly. Currently, the school district operates a balanced budget, balanced budget being defined as "EXPENDITURES DO NOT EXCEED REVENUES." This sense of fiscal responsibility has been totally ignored in recent newspaper reports.

Regarding the issue of indebtedness, there would appear to have been a double standard presented. If indeed the indebtedness is as bad as it had been presented, the district's zero debt should have been recognized. At the same time, those entities whose borrowing has reached rather extraordinary limits should also be noted. The indebtedness chart published on page 10 of the Dec. 31, 1993 edition of the Southeast Missourian newspaper warrants review. With indebtedness of the city of Cape Girardeau at $38.76 million, Southeast Missouri Hospital at $35.6 million, Southeast Missouri State University at $21.03 million, and St. Francis hospital at $10 million, it would have appeared such indebtedness would be irresponsible. However, when public and/or private entities can take advantage of historically low interest rates, they, in fact, save their taxpayers and their shareholders literally hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It would appear that indebtedness is appropriate, if not wise for others; just not for the schools. Unfortunately, the real story was not reported. The three-hour discussion, from which this issue was contrived, dealt with indebtedness for the purpose of protecting and improving the infrastructure of the school district and for our community. The months of work to collect data and community input attest to the cautious concern the Board of Education has in meeting its obligation to the children and the community.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: News stories about the Board of Education's study session appeared on Dec. 30 and 31. The newspaper expressed its opinion with an editorial on Jan. 6)

Neyland Clark is superintendent of Cape Girardeau public schools.