CARNAHAN FEATURED AT TOWN HALL

Gov. Mel Carnahan will be the featured speaker Monday night at a town hall meeting in Cape Girardeau to discuss educational issues.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Barbara Blanchard Elementary School, 1829 N. Sprigg St. At least 50 people are expected to attend the event.

Carnahan, a Democratic vying for Republican John Ashcroft's U.S. Senate seat, will answer questions from voters and discuss his Quality Classroom Initiatives educational plan during the event. Campaign spokesperson Sara Howard said the purpose of the event is to help Carnahan "engage in a dialogue" about issues that concern Missouri residents.

"Education is always one of the most important issues on a voter's mind," Howard said. She said Carnahan wants to know "what they're concerned about and what can be done to improve education."

Carnahan's Quality Classroom Initiatives plan proposes a commitment of $50 billion from the anticipated federal budget surplus over the next 10 years. These funds would flow directly from the federal government to local school districts to help schools reduce class size and improve classroom conditions.

School districts would have flexibility to use additional funding to address any of five options:

* The hiring of new classroom teachers.

* Additional school construction assistance.

* The hiring of teaching specialists in core subjects like reading, math and science.

* Alternative discipline programs for chronically violent and disruptive students.

* A year-round school schedule.

Tickets are required for entry to the event and can be obtained at no charge by calling (800) 898-8855..