Facilities plan discussed at public forum hosted by Cape Girardeau schools

Several members of the community showed support for continuing construction projects at Central High School during a forum Monday night hosted by Cape Girardeau school officials.

About 30 people attended the meeting at the Junior High School, most encouraging concentrated efforts at the high school, which opened in 2002.

"It's in phases and it seems incomplete," said Kenn Stilson, adding that the district needs to finish what it initially planned for the high school. Stilson, who has a daughter in first grade, said he supported a new performing arts center.

The community feedback is part of the planning process to develop a facilities plan for the district. Administrators, parents and community leaders have been meeting to prepare ideas for the plan, which will outline construction and renovation projects. With public input at three forums, school officials say they hope to find direction for the long-term plan and meet community needs.

"We want to be proactive so we can see the changes that will happen in the future," said school board president Kyle McDonald.

Those who attended Monday's meeting completed surveys to provide feedback on possible grade configurations, construction projects and building improvements.

A popular idea emerging from committee planning sessions was to change grade configurations and house sixth through eighth grade in one building. Reconfiguration could lead to redrawing school boundaries and would require more space at the elementary schools.

Several community members also spoke in support of the current grade configurations, saying redistributions would not increase student achievement.

"I have real mixed emotions about overcrowding those elementary schools again," said Pat Renard, who taught with the district for 30 years.

Elaine Stone said redrawing the districts would be hard on the community.

"I think we don't need to put more change on the community unless it's worth it," she said.

Grade configurations, which changed in 2002, should not be shifted again, she said. Stone, who has a child in seventh-grade band, said she supports a fine arts complex at the high school.

The possibility of a sports complex was also a common topic during the forum. Some parents said they wanted Cape Girardeau schools to have the Friday night football tradition that is common throughout the United States. Currently the district plays home games on Thursday at Houck Stadium on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

"You're talking about building pride in the kids," said Scott Horrell, the father of a sophomore.

Bob Komorech said a sports complex should be funded through area businesses and corporate sponsors. The district, he said, should focus on improving instruction to build achievement.

"If you have a well-defined curriculum, you'll see success," he said.

The district will host two more forums in the next week. The next one will be Thursday at Jefferson Elementary, 520 S. Minnesota Ave., in the cafeteria. Another will be held March 9 at Blanchard Elementary, 1829 N. Sprigg St., in the cafeteria. Both are at 6 p.m.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

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