SCHOOL OFFICIALS MOVE AHEAD WITH KEY VOTE FOR THE FUTURE

Cape Girardeau's Board of Education made it official this week. A 69-cent tax increase was placed on the ballot for next April 1. The move was no surprise. And that is the beauty of this whole process. So far, everything has been above board and out in the open.

Considerable planning and preparation have been done previous to the determination that the vote would be in April. The public -- both parents and other taxpayers -- were involved from the very start. A series of meetings gathered input about what people thought was right, and wrong, with the public schools. The master plan encompasses those suggestions

That openness is continuing with the issue of redistricting, certainly a hot button in any election. A committee of community and school representatives are meeting to determine what the new school boundaries will be with the addition of a new elementary school and the closing of May Greene and Washington schools.

That school boundary plan will be released in February, well before the April vote. That should give parents time to analyze the proposal and let the district know if there are problems, real or perceived. This is another example of the district taking this process in the right order. By determining this rather controversial matter in the coming weeks, the issue should be off the table by election time. Then parents can vote on the merit of the bonds, not where their children will go to school.

The district also plans to let voters know the location of the proposed elementary and vocational-technical schools before election time. Again, that kind of openness builds trust with district patrons.

Despite all this openness and planning, the district realizes it faces an uphill battle in passing a bond issue. Leaders, teachers and students plan to reach as many citizens as possible with a face-to-face presentation on improvements. Groups or individuals interested in learning more should contact the board office after the holidays.

With this new master plan, the Cape Girardeau school district has its eye toward serving children with quality education into the next century. Between now and April, the district hopes to tell each and every citizen why passage of this proposal is so important. Take time to listen.