PLANNING REMAINS KEY FOR SCHOOLS TO PROSPER

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will retreat this weekend for a concentrated and comprehensive examination of district priorities. Board members and administrators hope to formulate a five-year strategic plan for the district. The retreat begins tonight and continues through Sunday. We support the board's strategic planning goal.

Without long-range planning, it's hard to know where you are going or when you have arrived. These goals should be specific as possible. Just wanting improved schools isn't good enough. The board should map out detailed ways the Cape Girardeau school district can achieve improved educational opportunities.

The board will gather in Cape Girardeau for this year's retreat - a change in plans from a few months ago when St. Louis was the destination. We feel this change of heart was warranted. We realize that to fully concentrate on a task, one must escape from the telephone or other commitments. But it's no secret money is tight in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools. The board cut $1.2 million from its budget in March. By staying at home, the board demonstrates its sensitivity to public perception. The hotel bill may cost no less, but it's better to frequent businesses paying the taxes that support the local school system.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education faces some tough choices and obstacles in the months ahead. In light of structural problems at Schultz School, new construction may be at the top of the list of discussions. A structural engineer will report on his assessment of four of the district's oldest buildings: Schultz, May Greene, Washington and Franklin.

Along the same lines, board members will hear reports from administrators, citizens and teachers who served on Project Partnership planning committees. Three citizen committees made recommendations in the areas of educational programs, facilities and finances. These committees forwarded some far-reaching recommendations, including closing Washington and May Greene and building a new middle school. Their recommendations carry a price tag of around $15 million.

Since many of the changes cost money, it's important for the board to keep the public at the forefront of discussions. The number of families has diminished over the years, so fewer people have a direct link with the schools. An enthusiastic sell job would be needed on any proposal, no matter how good, with the current anti-tax mood.

The retreat would also be a good time to continue discussions on the busing situation. Last month, administrators said improved efficiencies may allow the district to bus more students than earlier thought. This is a step in the right direction.

All people want better schools, but we want to make sure the money is being spent in the best ways. Planning remains one of the most effective ways to achieve better schools, and that's why these yearly retreats are a good exercise in learning. The public needs to learn more about the schools to continue its steadfast support, and the board must learn more about public wishes to secure enough tax dollars to operate a quality program. Through cooperation and planning, our young people will benefit.