Video shows successes, what is to come

Cape Girardeau public schools have a vision for the future.

A vision Randy McWilson and Mark Cook transformed into a 15-minute video that highlights the district's past success and upcoming transformation titled "...the Best is Yet to Come."

Superintendent Dan Steska said the video really captures the spirit of the schools and the community, which is why he wants to share it with the public.

Steska presented the video to a small group of community members Thursday morning at Cape Bible Chapel who all had the same thing to say about the video when it was done: "It was great."

A lot of challenges are ahead for the district that is planning to open a new high school, close L.J. Schultz School and shift grades five through 12 around at the beginning of next fall.

Exciting time

Assistant superintendent Mark Bowles, who will succeed Steska when he retires in June, said the challenges are great, but the future is bright for the district.

This is an exciting time, he said, and the video portrays that excitement.

"...The Best is Yet to Come" featured a number of students, teachers and support staff explaining why they feel the future looks bright for the Cape Girardeau public school system.

It also featured a number of accomplishments and recognition that the schools have received over the past several years, including being one of the top 500 parent friendly school districts in the nation.

"It brings a tear to my eye every time I see it," said Steska. "It reminds me why we're in this business."

Steska said copies of the video will soon be sent to both the Realtor's Association and real estate agents who request copies.

Steska said the video will be a major selling tool for real estate agents because one of the first questions people ask when moving to a new area is, "What are the schools like?"

He said copies of the video will soon be sent to the Convention and Visitors' Bureau and made available to the public at the school board office.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611 ext. 128