LETTERS: INCLUDE STUDENTS IN SCHOOL PLANNING PROCESS

To the editor:

The May 5 staff editorial in The Tiger, the Cape Girardeau Central High School newspaper, introduced a very vital solution to the school district's problems. In this editorial we suggested that the problems had perhaps begun with the district forgetting its purpose: our education. We went further to suggest that a committee consisting of student representatives be developed to advise the school board members. Unfortunately, the editorial received very little attention, so I would like to bring up the subject again on behalf of The Tiger and the rest of the students in the Cape Girardeau school system.

In the June 18 Southeast Missourian, Peggy Scott wrote a front-page article outlining the school board's new strategic planning process. Board president Bob Fox and board member Harry Rediger both discussed the need for committees consisting of parents and community members to assist the board members in the planning process. Never were students mentioned as part of these committees. It seems the most important members of the school system were forgotten. Any committee that will have such a lasting impression on the community should represent all the constituents, and this would include students. Students who are part of the daily academic structure can tell better than anyone else what their educational needs are and will be. Rather than just sitting through 30 minutes of a class, they are there through the peaks and valleys of their education.

There are many students who would be interested in serving on these committees, myself included. Most of us are intelligent, hard-working students who care about our education and want to make it the best not only for us, but for future generations. The benefits that may come from allowing us to be involved in improving our school system are endless. Just think about the improved participation and pride that come from knows you are making a difference.

Please, don't just talk about improving things for us. Let us get involved to improve things for ourselves.

BRYN McDOUGALL, Editor

The Tiger

Central High School

Cape Girardeau