NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS MAIN TOPIC

In the real estate business, location is everything. But that is not the case for the people of Cape Girardeau.

"No matter what side of town you're from you all have the same concerns," said Louis Haynes, a discussion leader. "It's not my child, my school but our children, our schools."

More than 50 people attended a Vision Planning meeting Tuesday night to help develop a strategic plan for Cape Girardeau Schools.

The meeting was the second in a series on educational facilities. The next meeting will be Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cape Central Junior High.

In addition to the community meetings, sessions are also planned with administrators, students and staff. A town hall meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3 at the high school.

Many of those who participated in the group discussions were concerned about the need for a neighborhood school.

Sharon Sides attended Cape Girardeau schools and lives here.

"I'm a product of May Greene so I'm partial to keeping it in the area," she said, adding that her main concern was for equality in every school.

The neighborhood school was an issue in almost every discussion group, particularly as the new Highway 74 route will isolate the May Greene School from the others in the district.

Residents in the school district want to keep the neighborhood concept but also are aware of a need for a socioeconomic and racial balance among the other schools.

Renovating existing buildings and building a new middle school were also top concerns.

Air conditioning also ranked high in the list of priorities but wasn't a major issue.

"I'm from Florida and you can't live without air conditioning in Florida," said Joann Hardesty, adding that all schools should have air conditioning.