Scala plans to step down

Dr. David Scala announced his intent to resign as superintendent effective June 30 at the Cape Girar-deau Board of Education meeting Monday.

He did not give a specific reason for his decision, explaining only that he had worked 35 years in the education field and was letting the board know now in order to have adequate time to find a replacement.

Scala came to the district from Sioux Falls School District in July 2005. His contract was extended in February through June 2010.

In other news, the board approved a restructuring plan at the high school to increase the school day by 30 minutes to allow for PAS, or Preparing for Academic Success, classes to be taught. The class will focus on academic preparation, tutoring, monitoring of graduation plans, college planning, and presentations on topics like bullying, diversity, and responsibility. Principal Dr. Mike Cowan's hope is that the classes, which will be required of freshman, will increase the graduation rate from 79.9 percent to 90 percent in four years.

The board's approval gives the green light to determine steps for implementation, including coordinating new bus schedules and hiring additional staff to teach the classes.

Scala recognized a concern that some of the topics to be discussed could be considered a parent's responsibility, but said, "Many times students don't receive these skills for one reason or another. It's very important to help transition students into high school and monitor them throughout."

The board heard an update on plans to relocate the Alternative Education Center from its current home in the old Schultz School to available space to be renovated in the district's administration building on Clark Avenue. Board members expressed concern that the project has ballooned from about a 14,000 square feet renovation to 18,000, and that money may not be available. Architect Phillip Smith said he would have better cost estimates by the next board meeting.

The board also approved plans to connect two tennis courts by the middle school to be used by buses as a parking lot for off-street loading. The plan is estimated to cost about $10,000. Currently the buses load off Caruthers Ave., and board members expressed concerns about safety and traffic congestion.

Last month the board heard a proposal to resurface both the lots but decided this month to only connect the two for a trial and error period before spending money to resurface.

A motion to approve the 2007-2008 budget was tabled after former director of finance Brenda McCowan said some numbers were incorrect due to an error while transferring data from the program she uses to an Excel file. The proposed budget lists estimated revenue as $50.4 million and estimated expenditures of $45.6 million.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123