COMMON NEEDS EMERGE IN SCHOOL PLANNING

Tapestries come in different colors and designs but they all tell a story.

And Cape Girardeau residents are weaving their own with common threads of newer buildings, improved technology and vocational training.

Those are the areas participants in the Vision Planning meetings have identified as needs for the Cape Girardeau school district.

"There's been three different meetings but we can see a common pattern emerging," said Bob Foster, a member of the Vision Planning Committee.

Teachers and members of the community generated ideas for the educational directions of the district at separate meetings Tuesday.

The public meetings are designed to help the board generate a five-year strategic plan. Another meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Alma Schrader School.

Teachers were in a unique position to address all the issues -- educational directions, educational facilities and school finances -- during the afternoon meeting. Two other meetings for the teachers are planned before November.

The biggest priorities for teachers were new or improved buildings, better technology and improved discipline.

"Technology is needed throughout the district," said Toni Dement, a fifth grade teacher at May Greene School. "I have three computers in my room because of a federal grant. But on the other end of the city they don't have any."

Teachers also discussed the need for more work space in the schools. Many are concerned that over the years programs and personnel were added without enough space was allotted to them.

Derenda Holland, a teacher at Cape Junior High School, knows that some of the issues are strictly a matter of funding.

"We know it takes money," she said. "We have to plan ahead so we know where to spend the money."

Rediger said that none of the issues addressed were new. The board has strategic plans for curriculum and maintenance but not an overall plan.

Roberta Conner, who volunteered at May Greene School last year, knows children are the country's future.

She was one of about 25 people who attended a meeting Tuesday night at Louis J. Schultz school.

"I'm interested in children and know they are our future," Conner said. "It's important that they get started on the right foot."

Some of the ideas discussed at the meeting included alternative schools and programs for at-risk students, multicultural and individualized curriculum, more parental involvement and advanced technology.

Additional meetings are planned to address the issues of educational facilities and school finances. Overall, 19 meetings are scheduled with an option to add more, said Melvin Gately, with Vision 2000.

Students and administrators also will have a chance to participate in the meetings.

A community-wide town hall meeting will conclude the sessions on Nov. 7.