LETTERS: UNIFIED SCHOOL EFFORT

To the editor:

I wanted to thank the Southeast Missourian for the May 17 article on the work recently completed by the Educational Programs Study Committee. This group of volunteers met on a weekly basis for the past two months in order to pull together the concerns voiced by Cape Girardeau citizens through the Vision 2000 meetings and to present to the school board ways in which these needs could be met. The school board will use this information, as well as other resources, to develop a long-range plan of improvements for our district.

When your reporter asked for the spelling of my name, I urged her not to use it, as there were over 30 people on our committee who committed the same time, effort and influence to our committee work. I'd like to take the time and your ink to thank all these people:

Glenna Ervin, Pam Spradling, Laurie Bernhardt, Angie Tygett, Ann Fowler, Loretta Dodd, Marlanea Wheaton, Connie Bergerson, Karen McDougall, Jim Watkins, Dr. Richard Bollwerk, Linda Webb, Jeff Jernigan, Diane McKee, Jamie Jones, Beverly Delph, Laura Green, Kathie Brennan, Toni Dement, John Patrick, Barbara Blanchard, Sarah Schermann, Mary Trueblood, Diana Lilly, Pat Hodge, Kellie Phillips, Mark Cook, Lyn Stoecker, Lorna Mueller, Rob Huff and Dr. Dan Tallent.

We have a wonderful school district with dedicated staff and patrons. Our single, greatest, potential resource would be the commitment of our district and its citizens to pull together and place the educational needs and growth of our children at the tops of their priority lists. I honestly feel that Cape Girardeau is finally ready to do that. Our committee's work is a small step in that direction.

PAT SCHLOSSER

Cape Girardeau