VO-TECH CENTER FINALLY READY FOR OCCUPANTS

The process of converting a shiny new building into a functioning school has begun for Cape Girardeau vocational faculty and staff.

School officials received the keys to the Career and Technology Center earlier this month.

The project, begun nearly two years ago, was originally scheduled for completion in September but was delayed by numerous delays, changes to construction plans, and higher-than-expected labor and material costs that set all of the district's building projects behind and in the red.

"It's just like moving house furniture, but only on a much grander scale," said career center director Harold Tilley. "Our first priority is educating our students. Hopefully there'll be as few interruptions as possible."

Although some minor projects continue in the 120,000-square-foot building, it is substantially complete and ready for occupancy, Tilley said.

A few adult education courses will be taught in the building in early summer, but full occupancy won't occur until the fall.

In the meantime, teachers are working nights and weekends to unpack furniture and supplies in their new classrooms, and transition committees are overseeing plans to make the move as stress-free as possible for faculty and maintenance staff.

"We're just in bits and stages right now," said guidance counselor Judy Holshouser. "It's too early for me to move my stuff simply because the end of year tends to be a very busy time for a counselor. I also don't have big heavy equipment like some of the other areas have to move."

The career center is situated on a 75-acre tract west of Kingshighway and Southern Expressway that borders a gravel section of Silver Springs Road. The campus will be shared with a high school currently under construction that is scheduled to open in two years.

Public awareness

The combined campuses will provide a better opportunity for high school students to enroll in vocational classes, but Tilley also hopes to increase public awareness about his school's offerings.

The building will be available for groups to host conventions and other large gatherings, and the culinary arts department will cater events.

Tilley said the center's 10-foot corridors and controlled climate also will be open to walkers, who can follow a half-mile walking path while getting a first-hand look at programs.

"We want to build up an awareness and attract people to our building," he said. "It belongs to the people and we feel like we need to get people out there and show them where we are located and the benefits we offer."

The career center was among a number of construction projects included in the first phase of a district master plan that were funded by a combination of state and local funds, and interest from invested money.

In June 1999, school board members approved a scaled-back design and $9.8 million price tag after bids for the original project came in more than 70 percent higher than the original estimate of $6.3 million.

The price was adjusted a second time to $10.9 million after school officials learned that additional state aid might be available to cover the difference between the original estimate and the actual cost.

The district applied to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education last year for an additional $1.8 million to cover the increased costs of the school, and the General Assembly eventually approved a $1 million capital projects allocation.

That money was held up, first by challenges to the state Hancock amendment, and more recently, by Gov. Bob Holden, who said approved funding for several capital projects might be needed to cover a budget shortfall.

The state education department has indicated it will include the remaining $800,000 in construction costs in its budget proposal for fiscal year 2002.