CHANGES IN CHARLESTON, PART 1; CHARLESTON: A SMALL TOWN'S UPS AND DOWNS

Editor's note: For the next three days, the Southeast Missourian will examine how additional funding and public input are impacting econmic, educational and social issues in Charleston.

CHARLESTON -- Before 1990, the small town of Charleston appeared to be thriving. Just over 5,000 people lived in the Southeast Missouri town located near the Illinois and Kentucky state lines.

The community's public school was the heart of most activity, and crowds often turned out to watch the athletes continue a program of strong sports programs. At the same time, students appeared to be doing well academically, and after graduation many went away to receive technical training or to continue their education before returning home.

Residents who chose not to leave were likely working for the school district, on a farm, or in one of several long-time plants operating in the county.

There existed an unspoken political, economic and social division between residents of the town's well-kept older homes on the east side, and residents from the five public housing developments built throughout the rest of the city.

Despite the divisions, however, people appeared content and their was little unrest besides the ever present desire of area youth for "something to do." That is, until just a few years later, when residents began to feel the effects of a high rate of drug dependency that manifested about the same time that two major industries decided to close their doors. Unemployment skyrocketed, and problems associated with drug use -- including crime, pregnancy and welfare issues -- also increased.

"At one time our unemployment rate was well in excess of 11 percent and it remained that way for some time," said city manager David Brewer. "I heard somebody say we were a typical Delta town -- in a decline." About the same time as the town entered a decline, the school district learned that while its students were performing well nationally, the district was far below the state's expectations in a number of areas. In 1995, a review by a state team for the Missouri School Improvement Program resulted in provisional accreditation after the school failed to meet even five of 11 competency areas.

Problems increased within the school and community as gang member 'wannabes" began mimicking urban gang behavior learned from visits to urban areas. The dropout rate increased to high 16 percent by the mid-1990s, mainly due to young mothers who failed to return to school after giving birth.

"We were at our lowest ebb in the early to mid '90s," said Charleston School District Superintendent Terry Rowe. "Our curriculum and student achievement were not as good as we thought it should be. In comparison with the state averages, we were well below." The result of the town's tailspin was a mass exodus of younger residents who left in search of jobs and a better way of life. The population decreased by some 1,000 people, leaving only a small group of residents seeking an end to the effects of inadequate education, excessive criminal and drug activity, and economic and social depression.

And then came the opportunity to locate a state prison in the community.

Betty Hearnes, a former state legislator and wife of former Gov. Warren Hearnes, said residents decided it was time to take back their town in the mid-1990s. State officials were looking for possible locations for two state prisons, but the residents had to decide if it was worth the effort before any attempt was made to develop a bid proposal, she said. "We realized we had to see were the citizens interested in keeping the town going or what," said Hearnes. "We held a series of citizens' meetings and took the input from the 300 or so people who came out and developed special committees to address the needs we found." Those committees developed recommendations to improve housing, saftey, industry, education and crime in the town. Grant funding and a trust fund created for the town after a longtime resident died made many improvements possible, as did the expansion of two major industries and the successful bid proposal.

Most importantly, Hearnes said the people became interested in their community again. "Best of all, the people came together to address the needs. We haven't answered all the questions, but at least we're recognizing the needs," she said.

Coming Sunday: A look at crime and education.