GROUPS PITCH PROPOSALS TO ACQUIRE OLD CAPE SCHOOLS

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education heard presentations from two groups hoping to purchase May Greene school during a closed session Monday night.

Representatives from First Assembly of God Church and the SEMO Facilities Corporation pitched similar programming ideas to the school board in hopes of winning favor during the meeting.

The two groups "are the only two who have expressed a direct interest in purchasing it," said Superintendent Dr. Dan Steska. Both organizations must submit a formal bid for the property before Oct. 18.

"We'd like to have it resolved about the time we move out the building so the building is not sitting there vacant any length of time," Steska said.

May Greene and Washington schools will be closed after construction of Blanchard Elementary School is completed. Steska said the most recent report from R.L. Persons Co., the contractor building Blanchard, indicate the building will be completed prior to the end of October.

"The latest information I have is that the building should be ready by mid- to late-October," he said.

The school board wants to verify how May Greene and Washington will be used and how buyers plan to finance maintenance and upkeep of the buildings. It's important the buildings be used in ways to benefit the community, Steska said.

School board members have said they do not want either school to become a community eyesore.

First Assembly of God Church owns the House of Hope Church located in the 1200 block of Sprigg street. Presenters told the school board they would use the school as a community outreach facility, Steska said. The building would be used to provide community services such as tutoring, job coaching and possibly a medical clinic in addition to church services.

Representatives from the SEMO Facilities Corporation, East Missouri Action Agency and Family Resource Center also expressed their interest in purchasing the property. SEMO Facilities Corporation is an organization which purchases property that is then rented to community service groups.

The group said they would provide community programs aimed at helping families in a variety of ways. Tutorial services, family management activities, daycare services and possibly, a safe house for children are examples of the programming that would be implemented.

Southeast Missouri State University is the only bidder for the Washington school property. Steska and university president Dr. Ken Dobbins have reached a tentative contract agreement, but no information has been released regarding the university's plans.

Steska said the school board will make decisions regarding both properties in late October.