PANEL CHANGES ONE SCHOOL LINE

The committee redrawing Cape Girardeau's elementary school boundaries changed the line dividing Franklin and Jefferson schools but made no other changes.

The group decided Thursday it shouldn't negotiate changes with parent groups. Instead, the committee recommended that parents take their suggestions to the Board of Education.

The committee will submit its revised report at Monday's school board meeting. The board's agenda includes a time for public comments.

The change between Franklin and Jefferson schools was needed because children in the neighborhood between William and Independence streets were inaccurately counted. Several children who technically live in the Franklin district attend Jefferson because of overcrowding at Franklin, and that caused the earlier confusion.

Principals from the two schools established a new boundary that eases overcrowding at Franklin and improves racial mix. Julie Davenport, principal at Franklin, and Mark Cook, principal at Jefferson, said under the new recommendation most children in the area will continue to attend the school they currently attend.

The new boundary proposed for Jefferson goes north to Independence and includes homes east to West End Boulevard. Franklin picks up students between Independence and William from West End to Sprigg.

Jefferson's enrollment would be 509 with 36 percent minority enrollment. Franklin's enrollment would be 284 with 25 percent minority enrollment.

The committee had received a letter from residents along Cambridge Street in Northfield subdivision asking for a change. Cambridge is a dividing line between Alma Schrader and Blanchard.

Under the committee's proposal, children on both sides of Cambridge would attend the new Blanchard school, moving from Alma Schrader.

But because of the way homes are situated in the subdivision, the committee's recommendation turns the boundary along Cambridge into a zig-zag shape, said David Giles, assistant superintendent. If the line were straightened, and children on both sides of the street attended Alma Schrader, six children would be added to Alma Schrader's proposed rolls.

The committee decided not to consider the parents' request because it was outside the committee's assigned task.

"We were supposed to draw the lines," said May Greene principal Barb Kohlfeld. "Are we supposed to negotiate with parents? I think the school board does that."

The committee doesn't plan to meet again unless the school board gives the group a new task.

"Ultimately the decision will be made by the board," said Steve Trautwein, chairman of the committee.

CHANGE IN PROPOSED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

The proposed boundary line for the southern-most portion of Franklin school district has been changed as illustrated above.

BORDER STREET RULES:

*Both sides of West End and William to attend Jefferson

*Both sides of Sprigg St. to attend Blanchard

*North side of Independence to attend Franklin

*South side of Independence to attend Jefferson