SCHOOLS MEASURE TO VOTERS

Cape Girardeau's Board of Education Monday night moved a step closer to a 10-year, multiphase master plan by deciding to ask voters for a 69-cent tax increase April 1.

The board approved three measures that will be placed on the April 1 ballot. Voters will be asked to approve the sale of $14 million in bonds to fund construction projects that include a new vocational school and new elementary school. Retirement of those bonds is estimated to cost 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

Voters also will be asked for a full waiver of the district's Proposition C tax rollback. The result of approval of the waiver would be a 39-cent tax increase.

Voters also will elect two members of the school board. Board president Bob Fox said he will file for re-election today. Board member Harry Rediger said he won't.

Fox, who will be seeking his second term on the board, said he would like to see the school district's master plan through its beginning stages. "I can't abandon the ship now," said Fox. "We've worked long and hard to get this done, but there's a lot more work to be done."

Rediger too said he would be working for passage of the April 1 measures but not as a board member. He plans to retire in 1997, and doesn't want to commit to a multiyear term on the school board.

"A lot of positive things are happening in the school system and the community," Rediger said. "We have a great master plan now that we are ready to present to the public for further perusal. I have great confidence in our staff, and I'll be doing everything I can to support the master plan."

District officials, including Superintendent Dan Tallent, have begun making public presentations about the master plan. Letters have been sent to many service clubs letting them know presentations are available.

Fox said that in addition to informing people about what the master plan and ballot measure are about, a key to passage will be getting voters to the polls April 1.

"I am thrilled so many people are behind this plan," Fox said. "All I hear is positive. Now we have to emphasize how critical it is for parents, grandparents, high school students, college students who graduated from here to get out and vote."

The board approved the following ballot proposal calling for sale of $14 million in bonds:

"Shall the Cape Girardeau Public School District 63, Missouri Board of Education, borrow money in an amount not to exceed $14 million for the purpose of acquiring property for a new elementary school, a new vocational-technical school and a new high school; constructing a new elementary school and a new vocational-technical school; renovating the Alma Schrader, Clippard and Franklin elementary schools and renovating and expanding the Jefferson elementary school; renovating the current vocational facility to house district offices; renovating the current junior high school and high school facilities and making other improvements to district facilities and paying the costs of issuance of the bonds; and issue bonds for the payment thereof?"

The waiver of the Proposition C rollback reads:

"Shall the Cape Girardeau Public School District 63, Missouri Board of Education, be authorized each year to eliminate the reduction in its operating levy required under Section 164.013, RSMo?"