`YES' VOTES ENCOURAGED ON SCHOOL BOND ISSUES

Of the numbers available to promote passage of two April 6 school improvement issues in Cape Girardeau, here is a compelling one: 230. The number 230 represents the combined age of May Greene, Washington and L.J. Schultz schools, all facilities that would be retired with passage of this measure. All have served the community and generations of students well. However, they are no longer cost-efficient to maintain nor adequate in size nor suitable for modern educational needs. Cape Girardeau needs new school facilities. The Southeast Missourian endorses passage of both April 6 ballot issues regarding school improvements.

Cape Girardeau is a cautious city. Certainly, it was an extended period of caution that leads citizens now to face a 72-cent tax increase to service bond debts (requiring a 57 percent majority) and a separate 27-cent tax increase to bolster the schools' maintenance fund (requiring a simple majority).

As a community, we arrive at 1993 having not constructed a new academic building in 26 years. That was the Vocation-Technical School, in 1967. The last facility constructed for a general student population was Charles C. Clippard Elementary, which opened in 1965. And as much as it is necessary to understand the age of Cape Girardeau's school facilities and the history that brings us to the current circumstance, this bond issue is really about the future of education in this community. We believe a powerful and positive statement can be made with an affirmative vote.

The timing is right for this bond issue. With interest rates down, the opportunity for financing such an ambitious project will probably never be better. Eventually, Cape Girardeau will have to replace its deteriorating buildings. Waiting will only send the price for this inevitable project higher.

What do taxpayers get for the money?

They get modern facilities for modern teaching. When May Greene, Washington and Schultz were built, no educator conceived of computers, much less computers as instruments of teaching. Current facilities were not built with satellite communication or state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment in mind. Construction of a middle school and a new elementary school will incorporate these new technologies.

They will get safer school facilities. Structural problems that have plagued Schultz School in recent years are troubling. The lack of power outlets in classrooms at Washington and May Greene provide an awful temptation to overload those that exist, creating a fire hazard. This community exists at the mercy of geological caprice, yet plans are made with these ballot measures to temper a natural disaster; the new buildings will be constructed to seismic specifications, and earthquake retro-fitting will be effected at all existing school facilities with the bond proceeds.

They will get a boost for the local economy. School district officials say they will take care to use local contractors in the construction of the new buildings and the renovation work at other school facilities. In addition to putting people to work, the money will be turned over numerous times to retail stores, to restaurants, and so on and expand the economic impact. While the payment of more taxes may not seem appealing, the idea that the money will largely stay in the community might lessen the distaste.

They will get a natural opportunity to see the ele~mentary school boundaries redrawn. With the geographical growth of the city, a realignment of these districts has become necessary. With two of the elementary schools being closed, another being expanded, a new elementary facility being built and sixth grades students being shifted out of these buildings to a new middle school, the timing for a readjustment of borders seems ideal ... assuming the issues pass.

We approach this endorsement with a degree of misgiving. The price Cape Girardeau citizens are being asked to pay is steep. And the federal and state governments have revenue musings of their own to concern put-upon taxpayers.

Compounding these doubts is the fact a good number of people in this community might perceive little direct return on their investment. There are, for example, more than 1,200 students that attend parochial schools in Cape Girardeau, from kindergarten through 12th grade. In most cases, their parents are paying taxes for public education in addition to tuition at those schools. The appeal of these April 6 measures might be limited in their view.

Also, consider that there are, according to 1990 census figures, 7,741 residents of Cape Girardeau age 55 and older, plus another 7,333 that were, at the time of the census, 17 years and younger, below voting age. Given those numbers, plus the fact that the bulk of the April 6 issue requires an extraordinary majority, it is not enough for proponents to get out and vote for this issue ... they must convince a great many others to vote for it as well.

We have asked members of the public school board to lead, and, with the input of others in the community, they have done so in putting these measures on the ballot. They have outlined an ambitious plan that will address educational facility needs for years to come. The demand on taxpayers is considerable, but we believe it is justified in the context of what this community and this school district needs.

A lot is being said in Jefferson City these days about funding for education; the discussion often seems remote from local needs. With these ballot issues, Cape Girardeau voters can take matters into their own hands. Votes in favor of the two April 6 issues are votes for improved schools. We urge "yes" votes on both ballot measures.