SCHOOL CHIEF SEEKING WAYS TO BOOST MORALE

One good turn deserves another. Today's community pat on the back goes to Dr. Dan Steska, who took over as Cape Girardeau superintendent of schools July 1.

Steska has been waging his own campaign against low morale in the district. He is also working to build bridges with students, staff and the community.

He visited teachers and students in kindergarten classroom in all six elementary schools and took photographs of each child. Those 300 pictures were sent home to parents with a letter from Steska.

He encouraged parents to take an active role in their children's education. He asked parents to work hand in hand to achieve a common goal: "The very best for that special little person in the picture we're raising together."

How refreshing. Most parents couldn't help but be impressed that the superintendent -- the guy in charge -- took the time to express a personal interest in their child. It's a nice gesture that could go a long way to reaching parents of these first-time students.

Staff members in the school district also received a small surprise: An apple and paychecks released a few days early. No doubt that was appreciated by people who are paid once each month. Custodians and cooks are paid biweekly.

It was Steska's way to show appreciation for employees who worked long hours to get the schools open on time despite major renovation projects still under way.

You can see the district's new motto -- Renew the Vision, Maintain the Mission -- on everything from pledge cards to T-shirts to banners throughout the district.

Steska has also taken his personal campaign directly to the community. You can find him talking with enthusiasm to local civic groups about Cape Girardeau's schools. He often urges the group to take the pledge, which is a repeat of the district's mission statement. OK, it's hokey. But you can't help but smile and think kindly of a leader who takes his job so earnestly.

He has established an open-door policy for employees, parents and patrons with school-district concerns. It's nice to know that if you have a gripe -- or compliment -- you can go directly to the top to get your comments heard.

The Cape Girardeau schools have been through some tough times in recent years, many fueled by budgetary restraints.

But the Board of Education received some good news at its recent meeting. An audit of the 1998-99 school year indicated the district is moving in the right direction financially. Dwindling balances have been restored, reversing a deficit-spending trend in recent years.

It is good to know -- since district employees and students carried the brunt of the cutbacks -- that the sacrifices paid off. With good financial controls, the district shouldn't find itself in a similar financial crisis anytime soon. That alone will add to employee and taxpayer morale.

Granted, not all the financial problems were the fault of the district. Cape Girardeau remains a hold-harmless district in terms of state foundation formula funding. That means state funding does not grow at the same pace as other districts. State lawmakers need to take a closer look at this albatross in the coming session.

But at present, the Cape Girardeau's school district seems to be making the most of its resources and people. Steska is certainly starting out on the right foot with his public-relations offensive.

Remember this familiar saying? It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. Dan Steska is proving that little niceties are a great way to build good feelings both in the school buildings and out in the community.