`SKIP' DAYS WILL COST DISTRICT $3,680

An administrative decision that allowed Cape Girardeau Central High seniors to "skip" four days at the end of school will cost the district an estimated $3,680 in state money, said Larry Dew, business manager.

Actual figures concerning state funds won't be available until the checks arrive for the coming year, Dew said.

Parent Amy Randol questioned the wisdom of the decision since it cost the district in the neighborhood of $3,000 in state funds.

Former principal Dan Milligan said Tuesday it was his idea to give seniors some days off during the last week of school. "If they don't have to take finals, there is nothing for them to do those last few days," Milligan said. "I had made the request in the past. This year it was granted. I think it's a good decision."

He recommended the change to Director of Secondary Education Jim Englehart who forwarded the idea to Superintendent Neyland Clark. They both agreed.

Clark said Wednesday "Money is always a consideration."

But he explained that keeping seniors at school when they didn't have exams to take is disruptive for other students. He added that many other school districts in the state have a similar policy.

Parents questioned the decision at Monday's Board of Education meeting.

After questions arose about whether the decision would cost money, Dew said he made some preliminary calls to other school districts. The initial answer he received was no, the decision wouldn't cost money because the state only pays for the 174 days students are required to attend by state law.

However, he said Wednesday that under the state's new funding formula, calculations includes every day students attend. The decision would cost an estimated $3.71 per day per pupil. 248 seniors were involved.

The district expects to receive more than $3.8 million in state funds next year. Earlier this year, the school board "forgave" a snow day, which cost the district more than $14,000 in state funds, Dew said.

Randol said the amount of money involved was not the issue.

"Whether it was $5 or $5,000 doesn't matter," she said. "They are making decisions and carrying them through without thinking of the consequences -- unless they get caught or called on the line for it. I wonder what else are they going to do.

"To me it was a poor judgment call, especially when the district is asking us for a bond issue. Those seniors being out cost our district money. Was it a wise decision on the part of the superintendent and the school board?"