Committee to review Cape public schools' comprehensive plan

~ The 34-member steering committee includes teachers, administrators, parents, university faculty and business owners.

A steering committee will help map future improvements for the Cape Girardeau public schools by developing a new comprehensive plan covering everything from curriculum to school buildings.

The committee, organized by the school district administration, is scheduled to hold its first meeting Tuesday.

Superintendent Dr. David Scala wants the committee to present a preliminary plan to the school board by May. The board then would have a chance to review, revise and adopt the plan by June.

Scala said school officials plan to implement the new plan starting in July.

The school district last developed a comprehensive plan five years ago. Missouri requires school districts to update their comprehensive plans every five years.

A comprehensive plan isn't just paperwork. "It gives you a road map of where you are now and where you want to be," he said.

The 34-member steering committee includes teachers, school administrators, parents, university faculty and staff, business owners and civic leaders.

"I feel like we have a broad representation," he said. "We don't have it heavy on administrators."

The committee includes former Missouri secretary of state Bekki Cook and Southeast Missouri State University athletic director Don Kaverman.

Parent and Southeast Missouri State University history professor Dr. Steven Hoffman serves on the steering committee.

"It is both exciting and intimidating," he said of the planning effort.

Hoffman's son is a high school sophomore and a member of the high school band.

"I do a lot of complaining about education today," he said. "But when you get on the inside, it becomes harder to just complain."

Hoffman expects talk of improved facilities will interest the public most. Cost will be a factor with any improvements, he said.

"The real world always involves compromise and money," he said.

NaTika Rowles, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, also serves on the steering committee.

Rowles said she hopes the new plan will look at ways the school district can partner with other groups to provide a comprehensive after-school program for students.

Scala said so-called action committees will be appointed by March or April to help with the planning.

Counting these secondary committees, Scala estimates as many as 100 people will have a hand in developing a new comprehensive plan.

As part of the planning process, the steering committee will review the existing plan.

The 5-year-old plan included a proposal to build an auditorium at the new high school. But that still hasn't happened because of a lack of funding, said assistant superintendent Rob Huff.

The district's improving financial picture could make it feasible to build an auditorium over the next five years, he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, ext. 123