SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSALS NEED -- AND GET -- POSITIVE NODS

It is official. The Cape Girardeau School District's campaign to promote a bond issue and tax increase received an enthusiastic kickoff Thursday night. Almost 600 boosters -- young and old -- attended the rally. That is just the kind of enthusiasm and commitment the district needs to carry this proposal to victory April 1.

Campaign organizers have seized upon a good campaign strategy, one that should very well break the chain of school-issue defeats. Instead of concentrating on efforts to change the minds of negative voters, the organizers will concentrate on yes votes -- 5,500 of them to be exact. Based on past elections, that is what is needed to overcome a relatively consistent number of no votes in school elections.

As campaign workers spread the message, they will be asking for pledges of support. As the pledges are collected, bricks on a symbolic schoolhouse will be painted. The schoolhouse will be prominently displayed in front of the district offices at 61 N. Clark. That way the public can drive by and instantly gauge the level of support.

While 5,500 is the magic number, the district hopes to gather pledges for at least 7,000 positive votes. These are people who will go to the polls that on election day -- April 1 -- rain or shine.

Melvin Gateley, a Cape Girardeau city councilman and former principal in the district, summed up the campaign in these words: "Enthusiasm is power." He is right. Enthusiasm can move mountains in everyday life and at the polls.

Enthusiasm can crush the apathy and negativism so prevalent at the polls. Too many people head to the polls to cast their ballots against someone or something. What a pleasure it would be for people to flood the polls in support of a cause they truly believe in. This school campaign may become a rallying point of good feelings in our community.

Good schools have an impact on each and every Cape Girardeau resident, whether you have children in school or not. A city is judged on the quality of their public school system.

On April 1, voters will be asked to approve two ballot issue: sale of $14 million in bonds and a waiver of a previous tax rollback. The two issues combined would mean a 69-cent tax increase. The money would fund a 10-year master plan of improvements for the school district.

The coming weeks will be filled with facts and figures on this bond proposal. We urge Cape Girardeau School District patrons to consider the issue fairly and fully. This is not just a tax increase for schools. It is an investment in our future.