SIKESTON TO VOTE ON TAX FOR EDUCATION BUILDING

SIKESTON -- Civic leaders want voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax to help finance construction of a Sikeston Area Higher Education Center.

The center would offer college classes and industrial training through a partnership with Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

The tax measure is on the April 7 ballot. If approved, the tax would expire at the end of six years and provide an estimated $3 million in that time.

Proponents say the tax is needed to provide the local match required to secure $1.5 million in state funding.

The state money was included in Missouri's fiscal 1998 budget. "We have to come up with $1.5 million before the state funding can be utilized," said Dr. Bob Buchanan, former superintendent of the Sikeston schools.

Buchanan currently teaches graduate classes in education at Southeast Missouri State University. He co-chairs the Sikeston Area Higher Education Committee, which is working to pass the tax measure.

State Rep. Joe Heckemeyer, D-Sikeston, led the effort to secure state funding for the project last year.

But Heckemeyer said he never envisioned that the local match would come from a sales tax. He thought it would come from private donations.

"I felt we could raise the $1.5 million," said Heckemeyer. "I never intended for a sales tax because I didn't want to tax the people."

But Heckemeyer understands that project supporters want a better building.

Heckemeyer had envisioned a steel-span building with a stucco-like exterior. But Sikeston civic leaders have proposed building a 40,000-square-foot, block and brick building.

Buchanan estimated it would cost $5 million to build and equip the center.

He and other civic leaders believe the money can be raised. "Sikeston is a town that has sort of a can-do attitude," said Buchanan.

The center is temporarily operating in a former bank building. That building would be sold for around $300,000, Buchanan said.

Proceeds from that transaction and some $200,000 in private contributions would be spent on the new center, he said.

The one-story structure would have 16 classrooms plus laboratories. The building would include industrial technology and computer labs, as well as a classroom where courses can be taught via interactive television.

The building could accommodate 500 to 1,000 students.

The center would be built on a 25-acre site at the Sikeston Industrial and Technology Park along Highway 61. The city has donated the land.

If all goes right, construction could begin this fall. "It would take about a year to build it. We would like to be in the facility by the fall of 1999," Buchanan said.

Heckemeyer is neutral on the tax measure. He said it is up to the voters to decide that issue.

Heckemeyer believes private contributions could be raised for the project if the tax measure fails.

But the state lawmaker said he wants to see the project move forward.

Civic leaders have long wanted to see college classes offered in the Bootheel city.

In many ways, the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center would serve as Sikeston's community college.

Buchanan said the center will be able to provide job training for industries and allow area students to take their first two years of college classes without having to drive to the university in Cape Girardeau.

"It will mean a tremendous economic boost to the community of Sikeston in the recruitment of industry," he said.

The education center opened in January in temporary quarters. The former First National Bank building has been renovated to provide classroom space. The building was donated by the city of Sikeston.

Buchanan said more than 300 students currently are enrolled in classes at the center.

Southeast has budgeted $184,680 to operate the center this year. That includes the salaries of a director and secretary.

University officials said they don't have projections yet on what it will cost to operate the new center when it opens.