School board learns enrollment up in Cape Girardeau School District

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect the correct percentage increase in enrollment.

Less than two weeks into a new school year, Jim Welker, Cape Girardeau Public Schools superintendent, was able to announce that enrollment has increased in the district around 4 to 5 percent.

Welker made the announcement Monday at the Cape Girardeau School Board meeting at the Board of Education and Administration Offices.

"We have about 175 or 200 students over last year," he said. "We've had a very good start."

Also at the meeting, staff provided their annual evaluations of district programs, including the summer school and the pre-kindergarten through 12th grade testing program and the student transportation program.

Assistant superintendent Pat Fanger rated both the summer school and testing program above average based on their desired outcomes.

Just more than 500 students attended summer school recently, according to Fanger, although around 730 students were recommended to attend summer classes.

"That continues to be a concern for staff," Fanger said. "We need to discuss and develop strategies to get more students to attend."

The program, which provides remediation in all core subjects also provides credit recovery for students off track for graduation.

The program costs the district around $148,800, which includes salaries, supplies and transportation.

The comprehensive testing program is structured to address academics, special education, gifted and talented and careers, according to Fanger.

All of the students in the district are affected by the program, she said.

"The testing program is implemented by a committee of educators who communicate on an annual basis to ensure the district provides a program that is current and utilizes assessments to meet the diverse needs of our students," Fanger said.

Although she rated the program above average, Fanger said some staff have shared concerns regarding the assessments using too much instructional time.

In his report of the student transportation program Neil Glass, director of administrative services, said the district runs 25 regular routes for a total of more than 287,000 miles per year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop recently awarded the district an award for Total Fleet Excellence, which means all modes of transportation were working properly and safely.

The program costs the district around $1.29 million annually.

"I think there's room for improvement, but again I am proud that we provide that safe transportation that parents and the community expect," Glass said.

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