SCHOOL FOUNDATION RAISES $9,850 IN FIRST MONTH

The fund-raising arm of the Cape Girardeau School District has raised $9.850 in its first month.

Rich Payne and Kandee Metje, co-directors of the school's foundation, reported the figure at Monday's Board of Education meeting.

The foundation, formed in 1995 to raise funds to renovate the high school track, was reactivated last year to seek donations from alumni, area corporations and businesses.

"Our goal is to enhance the school district in any way we can," said Payne. "Our goal is to enhance the three A's: Academics, arts and athletics."

Payne, an assistant high school principal, and Metje, a secretary at Louis J. Schultz School, are paid to spearhead the foundation's fund-raising efforts and will divide a $1,000-a-month salary. Later they will receive a percentage of the donations.

The salaries are not paid from the district budget.

The foundation's directors of representatives from parent teacher groups, athletic and school booster clubs set the foundation's goals and objectives.

One objective will be to buy equipment to complete athletic fields at the new high school.

District Superintendent Dan Steska said there were many needs in the transition to the new high school and that there is interest in building an auditorium.