HAPPY BIRTHDAY: CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATE 125TH ANNIVERSARY

Cape Girardeau Public Schools celebrate their 125th birthday this week; growing from one classroom in the basement of a church to today's 10-building campus with 4,410 students and a $19.5 million budget.

The school district was created Jan. 24, 1867 by an election of Cape Girardeau citizens, beginning a tradition of public education.

Superintendent Neyland Clark said, "In 1867, it was a pretty bold step for the citizens of Cape Girardeau to create a school system. We today want to take some of those same bold steps to do what is best for the children of our community.

"We have a history and an expectation to build on 125 years of tradition," Clark said. "That's why we study history and celebrate birthdays, to see where we have been and then look where we are headed."

The district plans a birthday celebration in connection with its educational summit Thursday. The summit kicks off a planning process designed to propel public education here to the turn of the century.

Alma Schrader Elementary School has caught the school birthday spirit. Principal David Giles said that during the birthday week, announcements and anecdotes about the school district's history will be discussed.

On Friday, students will enjoy a birthday party, complete with cupcakes from the PTA and other treats from their Adopt-a-School partner. "And everyone at school will sing `Happy Birthday' together," he said.

A history of the city's educational system can be gleaned from information in "Cape Girardeau Biography of a City" by Felix Eugene Snider and Earl Augustus Collins and Southeast Missourian newspaper articles.

Records show that prior to the Civil War, many students were taught at subscription school, also called independent schools. These schools were voluntary associations of parents to provide training for their children.

Sometimes a teacher of sorts would come into the community and volunteer to teach in return for room and board. In other cases, the parents took the initiative in making arrangements, sometimes erecting a small building just for school purposes. Frequently the teacher was a local citizen such as a lawyer or blacksmith with a modicum of learning who devoted a few winter months to the task.

Also parochial schools were established in this area around the same time. As congregations began, many created schools to train young people.

Private and parochial schools remained the dominant form of education in Southeast Missouri until the Civil War. Also, in the early years, public schools were termed `pauper' schools and some parents were anxious that their children have better opportunities than these afforded.

The educational system fell apart during the Civil War and little progress was made locally until after the elaborate system set up in the Missouri constitution of 1865 began functioning.

Some of the local citizens, most notably Judge George H. Greene, often called the "father of Cape Girardeau Public Schools," arranged for an election on Jan. 24, 1867 to consider establishment of a tax supported school. Opponents later said that only those favoring the school were notified of the meeting.

Many businessmen, just recovering from economic setbacks caused by the Civil War, feared increased taxes, and fought the move. Also, many families were satisfied with the existing parochial schools.

Despite objection from some "conservative" quarters, the measure was approved. A convention was held to elect a board of trustees. A principal and two teachers were hired.

The first term opened April 7, 1867 in the basement of the Presbyterian Church.

The school was a success. The following September another room was rented on Good Hope Street and four assistant teachers were employed.

The third year the number of teachers increased to eight, including an instructor in German and a teacher for black students.

By 1870, enrollment had grown to 2,081 with an average daily attendance of 450 students.

It was time for Cape Girardeau to build a school. In 1871-72, the school district constructed Lorimier School, at Independence and Fountain for a cost of $15,000.

Lincoln School was built in 1890. Its name was changed in 1925 to John S. Cobb School, in recognition of its principal for 38 years.

Cape Girardeau was a two-school system Lorimier school for white children and Lincoln school for black children. These schools provided education for students up to the eighth grade.

Anyone desiring a high school education attended Normal School, which combined a high school program with its curriculum for education of teachers.

The district continued to grow and add programs. In 1906 the school board called an election seeking approval of a bond issue of $20,000. It passed and the following year work began on the Broadway and old Jefferson schools.

In 1913 a $125,000 bond issue was approved by voters to build the old Central High School, which is now utilized for L.J. Schultz Middle School. That building and Washington Elementary School were constructed in 1914.

The history of Cape Girardeau Public Schools proceeds with more buildings and continued growth and brings the district to its 125th anniversary on Friday.

"We have a solid tradition of service to the community on which we can build," said Clark. "The community has expectations of us, based on this tradition. Now we must move forward in a positive way."