CAPE VOTERS: LET'S COMPLETE THIS GOOD PROGRAM

When you start a worthwhile project, it's important to see it through to the end. Such is the case with the Cape Girardeau School District's current building program.

Voters approved Phase I of the program three years ago. The district kept its word and did the planned projects. It built a new elementary school and renovated three elementary schools and the junior high school. It installed new computer labs in the elementary schools.

Now it's time to embark on Phase II of the building and renovation program, which would affect every child in the district. But the district cannot move ahead without voter approval Tuesday.

Again, as promised, tax rates will not be increased to pay for the program but would be extended.

Phase II would bring important and much-needed changes to the district. A new high school would be constructed, which allows more space for technology. The ninth grade would be moved to the high school. The new Career and Technology Center would share a campus with the new high school.

But the plan doesn't stop there. The elementary schools would be changed to kindergarten through fourth grades. That would alleviate overcrowding and avoid major redrawing of attendance boundaries in the future.

In turn, the fifth and sixth grades would move to a combined center at the current junior high school building. The seventh grade would be combined with the eighth grade and move to the current high school building. That would eliminate parking concerns plaguing the high school neighborhood. The crumbling Schultz school would be closed.

Top-notch schools are not just important to our children. They are critical for industrial recruitment and a positive community image.

Too many people are tired of government officials who promise one thing and do another. Cape Girardeau voters should reward the district for keeping its promises by voting yes on Tuesday.