SCHOOL BOARD PUTS BOND ISSUE ON BALLOT; PACKAGE INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SCHOOLS

It's official. Today Cape Girardeau public school officials will place a $25 million bond issue on the April 6 ballot.

The board of education voted Monday night to take to the voters a package that includes two new school buildings, an addition to Jefferson Elementary School, earthquake resistance, air conditioning and electrical updates for existing buildings.

School officials have said a tax increase of 72 cents would retire the bonds. In addition, the board is asking voters for a 27-cent increase for building maintenance, which would bring the total tax increase to 99 cents.

According to the 1990 census, Cape Girardeau's median home has a market value of $58,300. The 99-cent increase would cost the owner of that home an additional $109.66 a year, or about $2.10 a week.

Also at the meeting, the board approved the resignation of long-time May Greene principal Sam Jarrell.

Concerning the bond issue, Superintendent Neyland Clark said Monday, "This brings to a close a 13-month cycle that began with a general call to concern at an educational summit in January 1992."

A group of citizens worked on a long-range plan called Project Partnership. From that planning process came this proposal.

The city's PTA council voted Monday morning to endorse the proposal. The Community Teachers Association executive committee issued a statement Monday supporting the issue. The teachers expressed two concerns: reducing class size and improving discipline.

Mark Grimm with Gilmore-Bell, the district's bond counsel firm, explained that April 1993 is a good time, financially, to borrow money. He added that since the nation has been in a recession, construction costs are also favorable.

Jim Limbaugh, president of Boatmen's Bank, served on the finance committee of Project Partnership. He is now spearheading a fund-raising drive to generate private money to pay for promotion of the bond issue.

Limbaugh concurred with Grimm's assessment that April is a good time for the issue to be on the ballot.

"The time is now in terms of good old-fashioned financial costs," Limbaugh said. "We are at a historic low as far as interest rates go. That window of opportunity will close. We don't know when. We think toward the end of the year interest rates will rise."

Limbaugh added, "Part of the gradual evolution of any city is replacement of the infrastructure. That includes schools. There comes a time when we have to bite the bullet and replace things that are worn out."

To help promote the issue, a committee, called "Citizens for Better Schools," is being formed. The committee chairmen are Morris and Marlene Osburn and Janet Shepard.

The Osburns are both retired educators. Morris Osburn retired from the U.S. Department of Education and Marlene Osburn retired as a teacher.

"This is something we feel is very worthwhile. We are willing to put our time into it," Marlene Osburn said.

Shepard said, "I'm doing this as a mother whose been active as a volunteer in the buildings and knows a need exists in every one of our buildings. We are not currently providing the best environment for learning."

Osburn explained that the committee plans a ward-by-ward, block-by-block campaign to inform people about the tax proposal. "I think the person-to-person approach is the best way," she said.

Shepard added, "It is concerned citizens visiting with their neighbors."

If voters approve the measure, May Greene, Washington and L.J. Schultz would no longer be used as traditional schools.

"We have a potential buyer for this building," Clark said of May Greene. Alternative uses are being explored for Washington and Schultz.

Clark said, "The reports we have from engineers show that beyond aesthetics we have done a super job cosmetically of keeping the schools up we cannot prevent the aging process."

Earthquake studies, Clark continued, "are very alarming. We cannot legitimately protect the occupants of these buildings."

The lone dissenter speaking at Monday's meeting of the school board was Fred Withrow, a former principal and teacher in the district.

"This is the most ridiculous thing that has ever happened in the city. I hope it is voted down 10 to 1," Withrow said.

He said he believes the schools planned to be replaced could be used another 50 or 60 years.

"A good many people believe in using what you have as long as possible," Withrow said following the meeting. "There is no need to abandon May Greene, Washington or Schultz. And there are so many people who can't afford that tax. The district cannot afford $25 million worth of school houses when we have buildings that are very suitable."