SCHOOL INPUT SOUGHT

The committee collecting comments on Cape Girardeau's public schools wants to know what you think the top issues facing the school system are.

A survey is included in today's Southeast Missourian. The survey is also being mailed to a random sample of registered voters in the district.

Dr. Richard Bollwerk, assistant superintendent, said committee members are asking for validation that the top 20 issues that came from a series of public meetings reflect the top issues of the entire community.

The newspaper survey is included in today's paper and in the newspaper's free distribution product so every household in Cape Girardeau will have a chance to respond.

The survey is a list of issues identified during the community meetings.

Respondents are asked to rank each item on a scale of one to five, from very important to not important.

In addition, the survey provides a space for individuals to write in issues that may not be on the survey.

The deadline for submitting a completed survey form is Dec. 31.

Bollwerk, who serves on the Vision Planning Committee, said the group hopes this second round of community input will show if the committee is on the right track.

The Vision Planning Committee was established by the Cape Girardeau Board of Education as a first step in developing a five-year strategic plan for the district. The committee is gathering information to help the board determine what direction to head.

The board's goal is to have a five-year plan in place before the end of the school year.