SCHOOL CONCERNS VOICED

Tom Morris questioned why Cape Girardeau schools are looking at redistricting when new buildings should be considered.

Morris, a parent of two students at Alma Schrader School, spoke during a meeting Monday night seeking parental input on redistricting.

"We don't need to be redistricting," he said. "We need capital improvements. Where's our leadership?"

The meetings were held at all six Cape Girardeau elementary schools Monday. Members of a districtwide committee studying ways to equalize class sizes and minority enrollments at elementary schools are looking for suggestions.

Attendance at the meetings: Alma Schrader, 54; Clippard, 50; Franklin, 33; Jefferson, 35; May Greene, 16; and Washington, 25.

A summary of the suggestions and comments will be presented at the redistricting committee's meeting March 14.

Morris said three failed ballot measures for Cape Girardeau schools point out a lack of leadership from the school board and administration.

"I think they just made an awful mess of it, and now they're off on another tangent with this redistricting," he said. "I think this is a frustrated attempt by the school board to get something, anything done."

He fears redistricting will alienate parents whose support would be needed to pass a bond issue in the future.

"They can't afford to alienate anyone else right now," Morris said.

David Goncher, also a parent at Alma Schrader, said the school board should place one elementary school proposal on the ballot.

"That's what we've been asking for," Goncher said. He said losses at the ballot box also create a loss of credibility in the school system's leadership.

Alma Schrader parent Libby Roeger agreed that the school board and district administration need to build credibility before making another move.

"I think they need to start taking seriously the concerns expressed by members of the community," she said.

People at Alma Schrader said they recognize needs in the school system but expressed dissatisfaction with the job being done by the school board and superintendent.

At Jefferson School parents also expressed concern with the leadership.

Parent Jerry Siemers said, "They're going to have to get their act together."

Siemers said a new, no-frills elementary school is needed, but he doubted voters would approve it with the current board and superintendent in place. "They have got to get something straightened out at that level first," he said.

Even if a school was built, it would take several years before it could be used. A short-term solution is needed, parents at Jefferson said.

Parent Jody Trautwein said she would consider some combination of grades at one school, such as fourth and fifth grades or fifth and sixth.

Bringing children from across the city together at a young age would be beneficial to the children, she said.

"I think people would love to see a new school," she said. "But that hasn't happened."

Written suggestions and comments on redistricting are being solicited by the committee. The can be mailed to any building principal or the school district's central office.