CAPE UPDATE: `THE BEST STORY WINS'

Since the October school levy election an inundation of ideas, opinions, and suggested strategies has been submitted to the Board of Education. A few have come as intense and harsh condemnation of the schools for having presented such proposals in the first place. Others are genuinely attempting to analyze the issues and the facts which would lead to meaningful progress for our schools and ultimately for the students. Some comments were roused by the editorial request of the Missourian, others urged by the public forums. The comments have ranged from a spectrum of educational to political, from a heightened degree of understanding to some who have not comprehended the complexities of the issues.

In review of the barrage of ideas, comments and criticisms, I consulted a friend, hoping for some independent perspective, yet a degree of understanding of the dilemma of the professional responsibilities of recommending educationally sound principles versus those which would be politically favorable. My friend spoke of the "best story wins" strategy. It is a strategy which relates more to the ability to skillfully communicate, market the sell, an activity relating more to community relations, public relations, mass communicating, all of what my friend had to say was true and offered in a spirit of help but with a conviction of doing the best for the children. After all they are the future. But the dilemma continues to exist between the educationally sound recommendations versus the politically expedited.

I suspect that our next conversation will again focus on the importance of perceptions. The dilemma is as much a creature of perceptions and beliefs as it is of reality. The fundamental purpose of the governing Board of Education is to pursue policies which improve the intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological well being of the children of our community. They must also respect the views and advocate the interest of their constituents. The representation of specific constituent interests usually raises no substantial conflict with the general well being of the students. But when it does, this dilemma should generally be resolved in favor of the wider school of interests, i.e., students, parents, and community.

The conflict being experienced by our schools and community is inevitable, a creation of change and efforts toward progress. The way we handle such conflict will determine the character of our community. Regardless of the outcome you can be assured the Board of Education and its administration will face the challenges of this dilemma by educating, informing, involving, and problem solving with honesty and integrity. When the story is told it must be with a full knowledge of the facts and with the ethical principles of placing the interest of our students and our community above individual loyalties.

This column, Cape Update, is made available through the cooperation of the Southeast Missourian staff and is being presented in an attempt to provide accurate information to the public on the issues related to education. Initially, the Cape Update will focus on actual happenings within the local schools; however, parents, grandparents or others wishing answers to specific educational questions are encouraged to submit questions to Cape Update, in care of the Cape Girardeau Public Schools, 61 N. Clark, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.