The Cape Girardeau School District officially dedicated on Sunday the new $18 million Central High School, which a U.S. senator described as "spacious, open, colorful and inviting."

About 450 school employees, students and members of the public attended the dedication, which began with the school orchestra performing "Trumpet Voluntary."

Sen. Jean Carnahan delivered the ceremony's keynote address.

"Building a new school tells something about a community. It tells what the community feels is important in Cape Girardeau," Carnahan said.

"I'm sure it's a place students will be glad to have," Carnahan said. "It's always good to be in a community when they've just finished a building project."

Construction of the 203,000-square-foot facility began in March 2000, but planning started over a decade ago as part of the district's long-term goals, which also included a new career and technology center, elementary school and middle school.

During the dedication, high school principal Dr. Mike Cowan expressed his appreciation to all the residents of Cape Girardeau for their support of the new school.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've done and all you will do for public education in our community," Cowan said.

Dan Steska, former superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District, was among those who attended.

Steska, who resigned from his position with the school district last year, was involved in the planning of the new school and played a major role in securing funding for the project through a bond series passed in 2000.

"I'm so thankful the people of Cape Girardeau supported this," Steska said. "This building is testimony to the commitment the community had made to education."

Honorary diploma

During the ceremony, Cowan presented the school's first honorary diploma to Gib Zoellner of Perryville, Mo., who served as job supervisor during construction of the new high school.

Both Cowan and school board president Dr. Bob Fox stressed that the ceremony was a beginning, not an ending.

"This projected started almost 12 years ago, and it's not finished yet," Fox said, referring to the lack of a high school auditorium, which couldn't be built this year because of financial constraints.

Fox said the district does plan to build an auditorium in the future and will be looking for community support.

Fox also commented on the increase in fall enrollment this year -- something the district hasn't seen in more than six years.

"If you build it they will come, right?" Fox said. "When people drive by this building and see what Cape Girardeau has done for the education community, I believe we'll continue to grow."

cchitwood@semissourian.com

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