TEACHER, ADMINISTRATOR ARE AMONG SCHOOL RETIREES

Just one teacher and one administrator plan retirement from the Cape Girardeau public schools at the end of this school year, a sharp drop from last year when 16 educators left the system for retirement.

Sam Jarrell, principal at May Greene Elementary School, and Maxine Brice, teacher at L.J. Schultz Middle School, will be retiring.

In addition, L.J. Schultz school secretary for the past 23 years, Virginia Dolle, will not return to her post next year.

Other retirees in the district include Elsie Siebert, secretary at the central office, and cafeteria workers, Betty Andrews, Bettie Heise, Arles June Piper, Stella Strack and Evelyn Welter.

Superintendent Neyland Clark believes the small number of retirees is linked to last year's one-time retirement incentive offered by the school district.

"I do think that the fact we had the early retirement window means we have less people retiring this year," he said.

"Those people on the verge or retiring or even considering retirement probably exercised that option last year."

Clark said that several people inquired if the district would offer the retirement incentive again.

"We were very adamant last year that it was a one time offer," he said.

Across the nation, aging educators is an issue. "A lot of people are not wanting to subject to the issue of reform," Clark said.

"State retirement systems have made it possible for teachers to take their retirement, and people are doing that while they know they are marketable in other fields of work."

Clark said changes in education may play a factor in the exodus of older teachers.

"Teaching today and working in the public school system is much more difficult today," he said.

"The type of student is different. Teachers work under budgetary restraints they have never experienced. And parental involvement or lack of it is a problem," said Clark. "A lot of people are saying they've got their time in and are leaving."

As a result shortages do exist in some teaching areas.

Clark said Cape Girardeau has been fortunate because it attracts good, new teachers from Southeast Missouri State University, Murray State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

"We have three elementary openings in the district," he said.

The finalist list for these three teaching spots totals 20.

"That's not counting the number of people who applied to the district and were not finalists," said Clark. "A lot of people out there are graduating from schools and wanting to come to Cape and work."