NIGHT SCHOOL

Area business and education leaders long have touted the need for better post-high school vocational and technical training. And many people believe Southeast Missouri needs another two-year community college to complement similar schools in Southern Illinois and in Poplar Bluff. The problem of getting taxpayers to support paying for the school is one obstacle. Another is the bureaucratic channels that must be crossed before the state will approve a new college.

Dr. Bill Atchley, president of Southeast Missouri State University, has come up with what might be an excellent solution. He favors establishing a night school at Southeast that would enable students to get two-year degrees similar to those offered at a community college. Student also would be able to transfer to the day program to complete four-year degrees.

The plan wouldn't require new construction and would allow Southeast to make more efficient use of its academic buildings by using them both for day and night classes. Area professionals could be hired to teach night classes in various subjects under non-tenure contracts, which wouldn't be a drag on Southeast's programs and funding.

A separate, but connected community college would enable marginal students who don't meet Southeast's admissions requirements, to enter college and build a solid academic record that would get them into the four-year school later. At the same time, the need for more vocational training would be met. And working students and others whose schedules -- and pocketbooks -- mesh with night courses could take advantage of the classes. It's easy to imagine the benefits to the local economy and industrial recruitment inherent in a better-trained workforce.

The Southeast Board of Regents should be encouraged to further explore what appears to be a simple but inspired idea.