RESPONSE IS LIGHT TO PROPOSED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS

A good measure of public displeasure is often the volume of the complaints. That is why the relative silence that has followed the announcement of new proposed school boundaries is so welcome.

An Attendance Area Study Committee refashioned the six current elementary school boundaries into five attendance areas. The proposal is based on the assumption that the April 1 bond issue and tax increase will pass and a new elementary school will be built at the corner of Sprigg and Bertling.

In turn, the district would shut down the worn out Washington and May Greene schools.

Since the boundary plan was unveiled last week, the response has been surprisingly calm. For years, redistricting has been a menacing word -- provoking instant knee-jerk reactions. Even the mere mention gave both school board members and parents the shivers. Elementary attendance boundaries hadn't changed since 1975 when the old Lorimier School closed.

The reaction this time is certainly a credit to the committee that did the work. This group of hard-working elementary principals and dedicated parents took the task seriously -- meeting 11 times over the last two months. They came up with a sensible plan that accomplishes the goals without dramatic changes.

At the top of committee considerations were student safety and diversity. Other factors included building capacity, transportation and cost effectiveness.

On the safety issue, the committee wisely chose major thoroughfares like Kingshighway and William Street as natural boundaries. This will avoid the necessity of children walking across busy streets to get to school.

The committee also addressed the issue of racial imbalances head-on. This was certainly one of the toughest challenges. Under the new plan, no elementary school would be racially identifiable. The district currently doesn't meet federal guidelines because May Greene has a minority population greater than 50 percent. This new proposal is a first step toward making the schools a mirror of the minority population of the school district as a whole: 21 percent.

Projected minority enrollments under the proposal: Alma Schrader, 6 percent; Clippard, 14 percent; Franklin, 30 percent; Jefferson, 29 percent; new school, 30 percent.

The biggest changes in the boundary redrawing affects Jefferson and May Greene attendance areas. Many of the May Greene students would be relocated to Jefferson, where a building addition is proposed. Much of the Washington attendance center would be included in the new school.

This boundary proposal achieves district goals while still maintaining the integrity of neighborhood schools. It is the parents' trust and support of neighborhood schools that make this boundary redrawing all the more difficult. No matter what school district parents now live in, the vast majority feel their school is the best.

That is because a school is not brick and mortar alone. Teachers, staff and programs make our schools first rate. But it is hard for staff members to strive for excellence in crumbling buildings.

The Board of Education is still accepting comment and suggestions on the boundary proposal. Written comments will be taken until Feb. 17. Comments can be mailed to: 61 N. Clark, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701. Now is the time to comment about these proposed boundary changes. Otherwise, the school board should view the silence as acceptance of these new boundaries.