SCHOOL BOARD TO RECAP VISION PLANNING INFORMATION

Months of hard work by the Vision Planning Committee will conclude tonight with a report on what people in the Cape Girardeau School District want for their schools.

Then it will be up to school board members to fulfill those requests.

The school board will meet at 6 p.m. in Room 214 of the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School.

Board members began the planning process last year when they recruited Vision 2000, an organization promoting Cape Girardeau's development, to schedule a series of public meetings on the school district. The school board also appointed a Vision Planning Committee to gauge patrons' feelings on several issues.

Public meetings spanned through October and part of November, with 20 main concerns emerging from the hundreds of comments made. Random telephone surveys followed, along with a survey published in the Southeast Missourian.

Among the concerns was the need for new or upgraded facilities, smaller class sizes, air conditioning and better technology and equipment.

Those involved also said they wanted a change in leadership, efforts to boost public confidence, more parental involvement in school activities and better communication about school finances.

Board member Harry Rediger said he and other school officials stayed informed throughout the public input process and didn't expect any surprises in tonight's report.

"There was a lot of work and a lot of hours that went into this report, and we're really looking forward to hearing it," Rediger said. "But hearing it is just the start."

Now the school board must develop a strategic plan to deal with the public's concern, one that likely will span the next five years.

In other action tonight, the board will make a final decision on an assistant superintendent to replace Dr. Tim Niggle.

The decision will be made in closed session, but Rediger said it would be someone already employed by the district.

Cape Girardeau School Board Meeting Agenda

Monday, Feb. 19, 1996 at 6 p.m.

Vocational-Technical School

Information, proposals and comments from the audience.

Old business

Reports from the superintendent, treasurer, and secretary

Reports from the Ad Hoc and Vision Planning Committees

Approval of 1996-97 tuition rates for Vocational-Technical School

School board election ballot

Action on short-term leaves and absences for certified and classified staff

Adjustments to the budget

Discussion of a grand services contract with Caring Communities

MSBA policy updates and discussion of the MSBA/MASA fall conference survey

Information and proposals from board members.

Consideration of motion for closed session to consider matters involving hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees; leasing, purchase or sale of real estate; and three cases concerning scholastic probation, expulsion, or graduation of identifiable students.