EDUCATION: CAPE SCHOOLS CONSIDER TAX HIKE

Facing a budget shortfall of $16 million over the next five years, the Cape Girardeau School District is poised to begin a campaign for new tax levy.

Dr. Dan Steska, schools superintendent, met with a group of 15 community leaders, educators and others Tuesday to look at the district's short-term financial future. It's bleak, considering estimated tax revenues and necessary expenditures.

"Unless you see something I don't, I don't see any other way than a tax levy," Steska told the group.

A possible vote on increasing the tax levy, currently $3.41 per $100 assessed value, depends on too many unknown factors to say it's a certainty now, the superintendent said. A legislative change in Missouri's formula for school funding is possible. Assessed property values are estimated to grow by 6 percent, but that's not guaranteed.

Nevertheless, the group that met at the Career and Technology Center discussed details about how a tax levy increase might be marketed to the public.

This was the first of several meetings school officials will have with the public to discuss the issue, Steska said. More than 35 business owners, university officials and others in the community were invited to Tuesday's session, including original members of the finance committee that helped create the district's long-range master plan four years ago.

Those who helped develop the district's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan -- a five-year plan written last summer on student performance, facility and library needs -- were invited, too.

Participants offered several suggestions. J.J. Williamson, who owns a local insurance agency, said that unless the community can see the schools taking action to identify cost cutting measures first, they won't support a tax levy.

Teachers as well as students could evaluate cost-saving ideas as well if not better than outside analysts, said Don Fischer, store manager for JCPenney. He said new financing should be used first to bolster teachers' salaries.

Cape Girardeau teachers, who have the lowest base salary among similar Southeast Missouri schools, could be brought up to match area averages in three years, Steska said. However, projected expenditures of over $22 million for the next five years would be needed. Presently, revenue estimates fall almost $16 million short.

Teacher Joe Bradshaw, who said he has three printers in his classroom that don't work, believes educators can show the public their needs.

All educators need to do is show the true conditions of their schools, said Howard Meagle, general manager for KFVS-TV. He said that's worked for past bond issues.

"If it's presented honestly, the people of Cape Girardeau will step up again," he said.