REDISTRICTING EFFORT

Meetings held at all six elementary schools in Cape Girardeau last week generated moderate attendance at best. The meetings were part of the district's efforts to come up with recommendations for balancing class sizes and racial mix at the schools.

Interestingly, the school with the largest minority student population and the smallest class sizes, May Greene, attracted the fewest participants in the meetings: 16.

Overall, the meetings didn't generate many substantial ideas for how to deal with the redistricting issue. One recurring theme among the parents who attended the sessions was a lack of confidence in the district's board and administration. Some parents cited failed ballot issues. Others cited a lack of credibility among the school district's leadership.

The redistricting committee, which conducted the meetings, faces another self-imposed challenge as well: trying to convince district patrons that the redistricting effort is really needed and that it isn't a prelude to another attempt to get a bond issue passed.

While district officials have continued to say there is no link between the redistricting effort and a possible bond issue, the fact remains that school taxpayers are aware a bond issue is likely to be the only way to address some of the problems with aging buildings. And if class sizes are part of that equation, why not make it clear that a building renovation or construction effort might be the best way to solve the problem?