SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEKS COMMUNITY IDEAS AND INPUT

What do you think of Cape Girardeau's public schools? Is the district where it ought to be? Are facilities adequate? What changes should the district undertake to become even better?

It is not the first time the Cape Girardeau School District has solicited public opinion on the direction of the school district. Now a series of community meetings during October offer a convenient opportunity to help shape district goals for the next five years.

The format is patterned after the recent hearings sponsored by Vision 2000 that sought input on transportation needs in Cape Girardeau. Vision 2000 has agreed to facilitate the school district's hearings. A variety of locations and times afford many opportunities for input on key issues.

Nine community meetings are scheduled at school buildings on three key issues: educational directions, educational facilities and school finances. Five other meetings target input from teachers and staff. The forums will build toward a town hall meeting on Nov. 7 at Central High School.

It is no secret the forums may eventually lead to a bond issue. Three ballot issues have failed in the last few years.

But current board members aren't rushing toward any predetermined plan of action. They seem genuinely interested in what the public wants. At this point, everything is up for grabs.

To succeed, these hearings must bring out parents, teachers, staff members and other taxpayers en mass.

The meeting schedule (date, school, time):

-- Oct. 3: Franklin, 7 p.m.

-- Oct. 10: Schultz, 7 p.m.

-- Oct. 12: Alma Schrader, 7 p.m.

-- Oct. 14: Washington, 9 a.m.

-- Oct. 17: May Green, 7 p.m.

-- Oct. 19: Junior High, 7 p.m.

-- Oct. 21: Jefferson, 9 a.m.

-- Oct. 23: Vo-Tech 7 p.m.

-- Oct. 28: Clippard, 9 a.m.

A good school system doesn't happen by accident. It takes caring, credible people with adequate resources to ensure quality education.

Over the past few years, people have voiced numerous positive and negative views about the district and its direction. When three vacancies occurred on the board this spring, the Cape Girardeau County Commission was flooded with applications. There is little doubt people feel strongly about this school system and where it is headed.

Those involved in past planning efforts should come out again and state their views. This is a new effort under the current board of education. Now is the time for district residents who are concerned about education to voice their feelings about the direction of the Cape Girardeau's public schools.