HEAT AND THE CHALLENGE OF REFORMS GREET SCHOOLS

School days, school days. The bells ringing this week and last are calling elementary and secondary students back to school.

The lucky ones returned to air conditioning.

But most area schools are not so fortunate in terms of air conditioned facilities. Several schools have been forced to cut short these first few days of classes due to heat. Although temperatures have been in the 90s, humidity has pushed the heat index over 100.

The fact Augusts are so hot should encourage area schools to rethink their decision to open before Labor Day, which remains the official state opening date. Most area schools ask for, and are automatically granted, an agricultural exemption to bypass the law.

Last August, a relative "cool wave" treated students with temperatures in the high 70s to mid-80s. Only a few days pushed the mercury to 90 degrees. Other recent Augusts were much hotter. In late August 1990, temperatures soared to 97. In August of 1989 and 1991, the temperatures were in the low to mid 90s.

We have to wonder if it wouldn't be wiser to start later and cut short other holidays. How can students learn when they're baking in the classrooms? At least starting in early September would give students fewer days in the heat. Missouri law mandates a minimum of 174 days and 1,044 hours. We realize that with multiple snow days, it can be tough to work in all these days and still dismiss in late May or early June. Dismissing early also creates headaches for many working parents. It's certainly something worth rethinking.

Across Missouri, students and staff are returning to school with additional dollars and new programs, thanks to Senate Bill 380. Some districts have already taken advantage of some of the new provisions, such as Chaffee, which expanded its kindergarten offering to a full day. Other reforms focus on reduced class sizes and programs for at-risk children. By the end of the fourth year, the state will infuse an additional $400 million into elementary and secondary education.

Commissioner Robert Bartman praised the new foundation formula this week, keynoting a workshop for Cape Girardeau Public School teachers. But he cautioned that it would be a "tragic mistake" if the increased state aid only results in higher teacher salaries and not enhanced student performance. We agree. This additional money brings strings from the people paying this hefty bill. Taxpayers will demand results. The status quo simply won't do.

Jackson Public Schools received a surprise as it geared up Wednesday. Student enrollment had grown even more than expected. The preliminary attendance of 3,706 was up 132 students from last year. Cape Girardeau Public Schools' first day attendance Thursday was 4,214, down 25 students from last year. But absenteeism ran high, with 114 students missing classes at the junior high and high school. A combination of factors were cited by school officials: the heat, early dismissal and an earlier start of classes this year. If all those students show up, Cape's enrollment should grow.

This school year should provide many challenges for public schools across Missouri. We hope these reforms and additional dollars will bring about better schools. We welcome back Missouri's public schools and wish them well on the task of reform.