SCHULTZ CURRICULUM CHANGES SOUGHT

Changes are coming to Cape Girardeau public schools and teachers at L.J. Schultz School want to benefit from them.

Twenty-seven teachers and staff at the school requested changes in curriculum at Schultz School during a meeting Monday with the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.

Since 23 teachers in the district accepted a retirement incentive last month, now is the time to make the curriculum changes, said Mary Wilhite, a Schultz teacher.

Some of the curriculum changes would offer exploratory courses for the students to let them "get a taste of several different subjects," Wilhite said. "We are a springboard in getting them to accept responsibility for themselves so they can go on to other schools."

But Schultz doesn't have enough classroom space for any new programs, the teachers say. They propose renovating a building at 23 S. Pacific near the school. The school district already owns the vacant brick building.

A renovated building could be used for at-risk programs or special education classes and would free up some needed space at the Schultz building, Wilhite said.

However, the board already has a proposal from the Caring Communities Council to use the building as office space.

The council offered to pay the estimated $35,000 in renovation costs if the building could be rented for three years as office space.

The board tabled the item until its next meeting June 17.

"It's a high priority for the staff," Dr. Bob Fox, the school board president, said of the curriculum proposal. "And I'd like to look at it before we tie up the building for three years."

Dr. Dan Tallent, who becomes superintendent in July, said the district could not afford the renovation costs for the building and its floor space could create classroom limitations.

The board must make a decision before the Caring Communities Council's June 30 funding deadline.