GROUP TELLS BOARD SCHOOL DISTRICT IN NEED OF COHESION

It isn't Christmas or their birthdays, but a group of 32 parents and teachers in Cape Girardeau already know what is on their wish list. It includes things like more consistency among schools, increased parent involvement and a combined emphasis on the basics and new technology.

The group presented its ideas to the Cape Girardeau Board of Education Thursday night during a study session on school programs. The ideas also came with a suggested timeline for completion.

The lists are based on 12 areas of improvements suggested by Vision Planning meetings last fall, said superintendent, Dr. Dan Tallent. "They will become action plans to be implemented in the district."

Some of the ideas and suggestions will require more effort than others while some can be accomplished right away, he said.

"For some it is just a matter of rethinking how we do things," Tallent said.

Part of the rethinking could mean creating a consistent discipline and attendance policy for all schools, both elementary and high school, said school board president, Dr. Bob Fox.

"Some were things I'd never heard before, but they're great," he said. "There are a lot of things to do."

One of the new suggestions was to eliminate separate mascots for every school in the city. Instead of having a mascot at each school, there would be only one for the entire district.

"We need a single district," said Pat Schlosser, a committee member. "There's too much diversity. Continuity would bring the people in the district together. We'll feel like one unit."

The district is already unified in many programs, she said, but patrons and parents aren't aware of it.

None of the suggestions offered specific answers to the problems and issues addressed at the Vision Planning meetings, committee members said. "This is a wish list; there are always ways to do things better," Schlosser said.

The board is ready to see positive developments, Fox said. "A lot can be done with a minimal effort," he said.

Although some committee suggestions require financial commitments, others do not. Before any commitments are made, board member Harry Rediger said he would like to see some recommendations on timelines and ways the projects can be completed.

"This is what we wanted when we set out to do this," Rediger said of the suggestions.