SCHOOL BOARD MAY HIRE ARCHITECT FOR BUILDINGS

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education could select an architectural firm Monday to help with the planning of new school buildings for the district.

Superintendent Neyland Clark said four firms have been interviewed, three from St. Louis and one from Belleville, Ill.

"These are real top firms," Clark said.

The board meets at 4:30 p.m. for its regular session. A budget hearing is scheduled at 3:30 p.m., prior to the regular meeting.

Clark said: "The budget will be pretty constant with what we did last year. We made the cuts. We are going into the fiscal year with a balanced budget, so that makes us pretty strong for the 1992-93 school year."

Clark said a subcommittee interviewed the four architectural firms last week and Friday picked a finalist from St. Louis.

"They gave me authorization to enter into negotiation with a firm, but no contract has been finalized," Clark said. "It is an in-state firm, and we will have an agreement that local architects will be utilized in the event the project is realized."

At the board's annual retreat in July, members decided they would pursue new construction in the district. Board members suggested building elementary or middle-school buildings, but then decided to leave the details to the district's professional staff.

Clark said one of the duties of the architectural firm selected will be working with the school district to develop a master plan around the district's facility needs.

The board is also expected to name an assistant principal for Central High School.

Also on the agenda is a preview of the opening of school Aug. 27.

"Our buildings are up to date in terms of summer maintenance and repairs," he said. "Schultz has been given a clear bill of health and it's up and running. I feel pretty good about opening school."

Among other items on the agenda are second and final readings of a policy concerning naming of facilities and a policy concerning scholarships and memorials and approval of the district's cafeteria payroll reduction plan.