School planning

The Cape Girardeau School Board put its stamp of approval on a five-year strategic plan this week, culminating months of review and discussion that involved more than 100 educators and district patrons.

It is likely that individuals outside the school system will focus on two of the six main areas affected by the strategic plan: facilities and finance. New facilities are always high-profile projects in the community. And the financing to pay for new facilities affects the district's taxpayers.

The other four major areas covered by the strategic plan are equally important, particularly to students and to the educators who deliver instruction. These are academic achievement, at-risk students, partnerships involving families and the community and school climate.

Among the topics likely to generate the most discussion over the next five years as the plan is implemented are the feasibility of a preschool program and a year-around school year as well as expanding the alternative-school program to include fifth- and sixth-graders at Cape Girardeau Middle School.

Planning for the future is vital to success, and the Cape Girardeau School Board has expressed its commitment to a wide-ranging plan that will require compromise and community cooperation as many of the details are ironed out. The board believes it has a solid starting point for that process.