School officials again seek long-term plan

For years Cape Girardeau School Board members have advocated for a long-term facilities and finance plan.

"It seems like we do a lot of talking, but we don't get anything done," board president Kyle McDonald said .

In absence of the plan, board members say they feel cornered into making decisions without knowing their broader impact.

"It's been uncomfortable to come in not knowing what we want to do a year or two years from now and agreeing to fund a certain project now," said newly elected Stacy Kinder.

On Wednesday, board members -- for the third year in a row -- placed creating such a plan among their highest priorities. They met with administrators for a work session to outline district goals. Other goals identified include increasing the minority graduation rate, reaching all learners and focusing on communication.

Previous efforts to establish a facilities plan were not comprehensive enough or were too broad, assistant superintendent Pat Fanger said. Members said Wednesday they would like to see two facets to the plan: a maintenance/renovation schedule and priorities for capital improvements.

Kinder recognized some community members are "clamoring" for a football stadium or concession stands but said decisions should to be based on need. Charles Bertrand suggested developing minimum standards for each classroom to level the playing field.

Neil Glass, who replaced Pat Morgan as director of administrative services this month, said he is planning an "audit" of each building. Everything from classroom space to the color of the walls or carpet will be noted, he said. Principals will participate in the process.

"First I'm going to address what's existing" before moving to people's "wants," he said.

Needs identified by in the past include adding classroom space at the high school, Franklin Elementary and Clippard Elementary and updating the half-century-old junior high.

Neil's data-collecting phase is expected to take up to one month per building, meaning a plan will most likely not be in place a year from now.

Wednesday was superintendent Dr. Jim Welker's first formal interaction with board members since beginning July 1. He ran the session by first having board members identify problems facing the district, which were sorted into categories for discussion.

Nearly all the issues had been aired previously at other sessions.

Welker said afterward his cabinet would "begin immediately" developing the ideas into measurable goals. He did not provide a timeline.

The district already has a comprehensive school improvement plan that outlines strategies with specific action steps. It is updated annually and is expected to be reviewed in the fall.

A recurring issue discussed by multiple board members was meeting the needs of all learners, particularly high achievers. Tony Smee said he had heard of gifted children coloring for 20 minutes while the rest of their class finished a worksheet. They need enrichment activities, he said.

Under curriculum and instruction, members also listed the following problems: the graduation rate of minorities, improving teacher performance, overcrowding in classes and difference in student performance.

Discipline at the middle school was also discussed. McDonald said the issue may be "more of a lack of understanding of how cultural groups interact with each other." The middle school is the first time students throughout the district are grouped together. "Celebrating diversity" is necessary, Dr. Steve Trautwein said.

Other issues discussed:

• The possibility of having a work session to explain the budget. Bertrand said he "has no clue" because over the past three years "we've been all over the board -- we've got money, we don't have money."
• The need to update the district's Web site. All the board members agreed the district is facing a "PR problem." "The role or status of Central seems to have diminished," Kinder said. McDonald said, "We see a lot of families not informed," to which Smee said, "No voice is not a unified voice." Trautwein strongly supported hiring a public relations director who would also be responsible for updating the district's Web site.

The board concluded by listing the district's "positives," which included "quality teachers," "strong academic programs," and "diverse extracurricular activities."

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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