Better schools

One of the most important issues for families, businesses or industries thinking about relocating is this: What's the school system like?

That's the case when Cape Girardeau is the relocation destination. Families want to know if their children will get a good education in up-to-date facilities. Home buyers without children are concerned about how schools will affect resale values. Business owners know that good schools are important to their customers. Industry managers place a high premium on the quality of local schools when they consider investing millions of dollars into a community.

All of this points to a solid reason for voters in the Cape Girardeau School District to support a $40 million bond issue in the April 6 elections. This bond issue would fund improvements, additions and new construction for all of the district's facilities. The good news for taxpayers is that the bond issue can be paid off by extending -- but without increasing -- the district's current debt levy. (And voters need to understand that not passing the bond issue won't result in a tax reduction for at least 10 years, since the district is still using its debt levy to pay off existing bonds.)

Moreover, interest rates are at historic lows. School officials can expect favorable rates for the proposed bond issue, which translates into savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Passage of the bond issue also would generate new jobs for Cape Girardeau, as many as 300 to 400 jobs during construction.

Major components of what the bond issue would fund include safety improvements at schools, new classrooms, new libraries, more parking and improved energy efficiency.

Major projects would include replacing the aging Franklin Elementary School. Building a new school would cost considerably less than renovating the existing building, and it would mean fewer disruptions to students and teachers.

Other major projects are the construction of an auditorium and the completion of the events stadium at Central High School. The auditorium would be used for theatrical productions and choir, band and orchestra performances. It also would provide space for speech and debate activities, assemblies, guest speakers, award presentations and community activities. The events stadium already has a football field, restrooms, track and scoreboard. The bond issue would fund bleachers, concession areas and additional restrooms. It would be used for band competitions and track events as well as home football games for the CHS Tigers.

Please give serious consideration to supporting the bond issue. If there are parts of the proposal you have questions about, call a school board member or administrator to make sure you get accurate information. This bond issue is critically important to our public schools.