READERS PROVIDE SOME RESPONSES ON FAILURE OF SCHOOL TAX ISSUE

In the aftermath of the Oct. 5 election failure of a school improvements package for Cape Girardeau, the second time such an issue has failed, the Southeast Missourian published a clip-and-mail coupon seeking comments on the negative outcome.

What follows is a continuation of some of the more detailed responses we received.

We welcome other letters oncerning this subject. We would like for this to be just the beginning of the dialogue. We believe people are using it for just that purpose.

In response to your question as to why voters didn't approve the tax increase for Cape Girardeau schools, I feel you are mixing apples and oranges.

If I understand it correctly, the "buildings need to be repaired, they need air conditioning, and various renovation projects." The editorial also stated, "The knowledge that students acquire in well-run schools plays itself out in numerous ways and breeds an enhanced quality of life."

What do repairs and air conditioning have to do with well-run schools? The voters would like to see "quality improvements" in our education system first, then maybe we would be more inclined to vote for building improvements. Students do not learn from good buildings, they learn from the programs initiated by good teaching practices.

You did not ask for money for improved teaching aids like computers, technical equipment, teacher seminars or program enhancement projects, just structural improvements. The system needs more work than just the buildings. We must provide more for those students who choose not to go to college. Ask the local employers what kind of "quality education" is coming from the local schools. Check with the graduates who couldn't get that entry level job.

Wake up folks. We don't need better buildings, we need a better system.

For what reasons did I vote against the Cape Girardeau school issue Tuesday?

Prior to the Central High School graduation of 1993, the students asked the administration to allow a member of the graduating class to lead the class in prayer at the graduation ceremony. They did not ask that religion be taught, nor did they ask that the administration offer a public prayer. Their request was that a student be allowed to lead in prayer at the graduation ceremony -- a request that is very much within the rights granted by our constitution. The request of those students was sternly denied. As a result, Central High's graduating class of 1993 had to "interrupt" the graduation program planned by the administration to repeat the Lord's Prayer in unison that they might give God a small token of the honor He deserves.

While it is not feasible for the public school system to teach religion, it is also not feasible for the public school system to think it can offer a quality education without being governed by the underlying principle that God is to be honored and His commandments are to be obeyed. That principle is the beginning of education. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.

I am thankful for those involved in our school system who do honor God by living in obedience to His commandments and embracing attitudes that show reverence for Him. On the other hand, it appears that our school system as a whole is moving away from that one ingredient essential to all quality education -- the fear or reverence of God.

It would seem that, if this trend continues, those who truly desire a quality education for their children -- one which is based upon a reverence for God -- will need to be seeking sources other than the public school system to provide that education. For this reason, I could not, in good conscience, cast a vote in favor of a tax increase for a system that appears to be ignoring the issue which is the very basis for learning. If our reverence for God is deteriorating, new buildings will not produce a quality education for the children of Cape Girardeau.

What would make a school improvement plan acceptable?

For any endeavor to have lasting success, it must have the right foundation. Actively demonstrating reverence for God and His commandments is the place to begin. This method will not produce great sums of money, but it will enable the school district to better manage the funds they do have. Right priorities can only improve a system. If the administration is ever to have my vote for a school improvement plan, they must first demonstrate right priorities in showing reverence for and obedience to the One who is Lord of all.

My reasons for a "no" vote.

1. The tax seekers made -- and continue to make -- whining noises that Cape Girardeau's voters "threw away" $900,000 of "state" money by not endorsing the school superintendent's empire building. To this day, no one has said whether those $900,000 were to be a one-time disbursement to this community, or were those monies to be given to Cape on an annual basis. This lack of information to the voters contributed to the feeling by voters that the school administrators were hiding things.

2. This feeling was reinforced (at least in my mind) when I had to read the Speak Out column to find out last week that the proposed tax, if voted on favorably, would have gone on, and on, and on, with no apparent -- or planned -- end. Why, if the school superintendent and his minions had an iota of respect for the intelligence of Cape's voters, did they not, honestly and openly, bring this fact out to start with? What did they plan to do with the $1.3 million bonanza they expected to reap every year -- theoretically -- forever?

3. On page two of the Oct. 6, 1993, Southeast Missourian, there is a small article which states, in part, that the Cape Girardeau schools rank third, nationally, and were outscored only by Columbia's schools in the study conducted by the Expansion Management magazine. It further states that "Cape Girardeau's percentage of local funding was the highest on the Missouri list at 61 percent." What more does the administration want? Seventy-eight percent of my property tax bill already goes to the school system; that is well over $1,200 per year; isn't this enough?

4. Probably the most important reason for my "no" vote was the superintendent's reported statement made after the election prior to this last one, that the proposed tax of 99 cents lost because too many people voted! Is this arrogance of the highest order, or what? How dare he criticize people for exercising their right to vote, the very people who pay him an exorbitantly high salary?

My suggestions for improvement.

1. Have the school superintendent and his advisers quit relying on what they perceive to be people's cupidity; voters are not stupid, and will not be fooled by ill-conceived plans to part them from their money. Present a plan that fully and honestly outlines the needed funds and their intended purpose; the last two proposals practically shouted: "Give us your `yes' vote, and we'll spend your money wisely. Trust us."

2. Consider the possibility of a source of revenue other than real estate taxes; Cape's property owners feel they are already taxed enough.

3. Seriously consider getting the ranks of intermediate administrators thinned out. Why does the Cape school system need principals in every school building, and separate directors of elementary and secondary education as well, in addition to the superintendent himself?

I am writing in response to your editorial in the Southeast Missourian this week asking for input as to what suggestions can be given, why did the citizens say "no" again to a lesser amount, etc.

When I went to the polls I was torn between voting "yes" and voting "no." I want to see our schools do well, advance and the like. I also thought about the $900,000 from the state that was tied to the passing of the raising of taxes (although I could never find out if this was a one time shot or an annual thing. I was under the impression it was a one-time situation).

I voted "no" after quite a bit of turmoil. The reason: I do not know if I can stand any more of a tax burden than I am already carrying. Especially with the talk of raising taxes on gasoline, the new medical plans being discussed and on and on the list goes. Where does it all stop? Also, once a tax for the school or anything is in place it stays seemingly forever. Then that tax is followed by appeals for yet more taxes. That is, the present school taxes already receive approximately 75 percent of the property taxes. I assume that results in dollar increases as property values are increased. And I feel that the latest request will be followed by yet more requests for increases which will be followed by more requests for increases which will be followed -- and so it goes.

It is evident that the schools are going to have to turn to other ways of obtaining money and making the money they already receive work. Private schools have been succeeding very well with far, far less money than the public schools. How do they do it? Why can't the public schools do it? Or, am I mistaken in this?

I do not work on the school board. I do not know their budget formulas. I cannot help but believe that there are ways to make the present income do more in needed areas by cutting back in less needed areas. Perhaps the salary situation needs to be frozen or scaled back.

In our home we can only do so much with our income. We can only make so much. Then cuts and denials must be endured and the best be made of what there is. No one can do everything they want to do. You have to choose.

I realize that there are mandatory things imposed by the government that are questionable as to the real priority good they accomplish. However, someone in the schools themselves is going to have to lead the public in demanding the government become more realistic in its mandatory demands.

There are many questionable programs that are already being sponsored by tax dollars that have nothing to do with education. These need to be shut down and more of that tax money channeled into the public schools.

I feel that there needs to be a mentality developed in which the schools themselves come to understand that money in itself is not the ultimate answer to giving a good education. It comes across to the public that this is their mentality.

There are no easy answers to all of the needs. I do believe that more and more taxes are not the answer. It is not a matter of just 15 cents or so a day. It is a matter of another 15 cents a day added to the many, many dollars that are already going out in taxes, taxes, taxes.

What do the schools do now? Learn to live within the 75 percent of the property taxes they are already receiving. Push for reform of wasteful mandatory demands put on our schools by the government. Push to get wasteful government programs in other areas shut down and that tax money going into the public schools.

Until there is a sufficient outcry and outrage from the citizens over the way so much tax money is wasted things will never change for the better and the mentality of more taxes will persist.