VOTERS PASS NEW CAPE HIGH SCHOOL

Cape Girardeau voters strongly supported an $18 million bond issue to fund construction of a new high school in Tuesday's election.

The bond issue would also create schools that would bunch fewer grade levels together within the Cape Girardeau School District.

Voters approved the measure 3,411-1,141, or 74.9 percent, including absentees. The total far outpaced the four-sevenths majority, 57 percent, required to pass the measure.

"Seventy-five percent is just overwhelming," said school board member Dr. Bob Fox. "I think it indicates the community thinks we're on the right track."

Money raised by the sale of the bonds will be used to fund construction of a new high school campus. In addition, building enrollments will be shifted throughout the district to allow for better use of buildings, including schools with fewer grade levels.

Supporters gathered at the Chamber of Commerce and at Central High School to hear election results Tuesday night. Cheers became louder with each announcement of election totals, and pens worked furiously to figure percentages as the larger precincts were reported.

"All of Cape County will reap the benefits of getting new schools," said Dennis Marchi, co-chair of the Continue the Commitment committee that campaigned in behalf of the measure. "Good schools are important to the community. The better the schools, the better the kids that come out of them."

Superintendent Dan Steska was surprised by the margin of victory, although he had predicted a 75 percent yes vote in an informal poll taken just before polls closed.

"The decision made today will have an impact on the whole city that we can hardly envision," Steska said. "We just have to thank the people of Cape for supporting this issue and having a vision for the future of our schools and our community."

With voter approval in place, school officials will begin in-depth planning for the new school, Steska said. Details regarding room placement, classroom size, building materials, elevation drawings and many other items will be considered over the next nine months or so. The building should be let out for bids in early next year.

"We are just in the beginning stages of building development," Steska said. "Now the real work begins."

Design development will include all segments of the community. Steska said staff, students and community members will be included "throughout the design process."

"We want everyone to feel the school belongs to them from the beginning to the day we open the doors," he said.

If everything goes as scheduled, construction should begin next year, and the building should be open for ninth through 12th grades by fall 2002.

Less than 22 percent of Cape Girardeau County's 46,466 registered voters went to the polls Tuesday. Turnout in some outcounty areas was around 35 to 37 percent.