CHAMBER GROUP ADDS IDEAS TO SCHOOL LIST

Members of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce suggest that the city's public schools look for alternative ways to raise money, something other than increasing property taxes.

Participants at the chamber's First Friday Coffee added their ideas to the list of suggestions being collected by Cape Girardeau school's Vision Planning Committee.

The planning committee, appointed by the Board of Education, enlisted the help of Vision 2000 and Melvin Gateley to collect ideas and concerns from the public.

Meetings have been held throughout October. Friday's brainstorming session was the last.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, a town hall meeting is planned at Central High School, where the top suggestions will be announced. In addition, the Vision Planning Committee is expanding its seven members to include people who participated in the brainstorming sessions. The committee will take the top ideas back to the public to see if the schools are headed in the right direction.

Eventually, the school board will use the information to develop a five-year strategic plan.

High on the list of suggestions Friday was instituting a sales tax or an earnings tax. Before that could be done, some state laws might have to be changed.

The public wants to know about the school's budget and how money is being spent.

The business leaders said better communication with parents, teachers and the public was needed along with more credibility and trust in school leadership.

A new building and improving existing facilities are needed and Washington School should probably be closed.

The group also suggested improving vocational offerings and helping children think about career goals at an earlier age, stricter and more uniform discipline in schools, and better evaluations of teachers, including possible elimination of tenure.