TAX BOOST FOR FUTURER NEEDS OF CAPE SCHOOLS

Officials of the Cape Girardeau School District -- particularly superintendent Dan Steska -- are getting a reputation, and it's a good one for being forthcoming with the district's taxpayers on issues of importance.

The board plans to put a tax-increase proposal on the August ballot, although the exact amount of the request isn't known yet.

The reason the amount hasn't been determined is because there are several variables, including reassessment -- the county assessor projects a 7 percent rise in assessed valuation -- and the outcome of a Hancock Amendment lawsuit that is holding up a $1 million state allocation to the district. If the Supreme Court agrees with the plaintiffs that Missouri residents were overtaxed, the money will be refunded to taxpayers instead of going to the district.

But Steska began crunching the numbers he had last fall to determine what the district needs in the way of more money. Since then, he has continued to keep school board members and the public informed about the district's financial concerns.

The current school levy is $3.41 for each $100 of assessed value, 12 cents below the state average. Teachers salaries are about $4,600 below the state average. With a new Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center opening in the next several months and a larger Central High School under construction, the district faces additional budget needs for heating, lighting and cooling costs.

Steska started talking about a possible tax increase three months ago. The school board's vote this week is clear evidence that it's behind him.

Now the question is: Are voters behind the district?

They have been before. They passed an $18 million bond issue last year, although that didn't require a tax increase.

But in 1997, Cape Girardeau voters gave themselves a 69-cent per $100 assessed value tax increase by approving the sale of $14 million in bonds to fund construction of a new elementary school and career-technology school.

That shows they're willing to spend money to have outstanding schools.

Now that the schools either have been or are being built, it really wouldn't make sense not to properly fund these fine new buildings and the teachers who will work inside them.

We have good schools thanks to the past bond issues. Don't we want them to be well-equipped and well-staffed?