SUPERINTENDENT AMONG HONORED EDUCATORS

When the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce gave its Educators of the Year Awards recently, it recognized three outstanding teachers and an administrator who has excelled in her field. But there also was a surprise honor: Dr. Dan Tallent, superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District, was honored with a resolution citing his efforts in getting the $14 million school bond issue passed this year.

In turn, Tallent said the recognition deservedly should go to a large number of people who worked so hard on behalf of the bond issue. Passage was a singular accomplishment, because several previous attempts to get voter approval had failed. Tallent is right to share the honors with all those other folks. But the chamber also was right to put the superintendent in the spotlight. Tallent's credibility and his quiet, but firm, guidance of the bond-issue effort play a key role.

Congratulations to Tallent. And congratulations again to the four Educators of the Year: Dr. Keith Russell of Southeast Missouri State University; Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld, principal of May Greene School; Kathy Wright, Central High School teacher; and Catherine Kapfer, Franklin School teacher.