Cape school officials receive questions, encouragement at forum

Cape Girardeau school officials answered questions from their opposition and received some encouragement from supporters during a Thursday night forum.

About 40 members of the community, including administrators, school board members and parents, attended the meeting at Central High School. Superintendent Dr. Jim Welker gave an overview of the district's $40 million bond proposal, which will be decided by voters April 6.

Welker and Neil Glass, director of administrative services, talked about how the bond issue will be funded and the planned construction projects. The proposal includes a new elementary school to replace Franklin, a library at Central Junior High School and millions in deferred maintenance.

"It only leaks when it rains, but we still have a major problem with that," Glass said, referring to Clippard Elementary, one of three elementary schools receiving a new roof under the proposal.

If passed, the high school would receive a new classroom addition, an event complex and a 750-seat auditorium.

District officials said they will complete the projects without increasing the tax rate, which is currently $4.16 per $100 of assessed valuation. During a question-and-answer session, Greg Tlapek, treasurer of the Cape Girardeau County Libertarian Party, raised issues with project's finances.

"Will it increase taxes?" said Tlapek, who brought a sign opposing the bond issue. He and other members of the party have also been campaigning against it.

Welker said the district's debt will be extended by 10 years, from 2020 to 2030, thus extending the length of time taxes will be required to expire the debt.

"We have never denied that and certainly don't want to mislead anyone," he said.

The tax in the debt service levy, 69 cents, will not decrease if the issue fails, he said.

Other members of the audience asked questions about how the issue's failure would affect the operating budget.

Welker said he does not know how much funding the district will lose from the state, which is planning for budget shortfalls. Some repairs, however, will have to be made regardless of the issue's outcome, he said.

"We have boiler and HVAC systems that are at the end of their life cycle right now," Welker said.

Other attendees encouraged the district's work toward a complete overhaul of its buildings.

Mitch Miller, whose children graduated from the district, said it is important for cities and townships to plan for the future.

"We don't want to be one of those cities that drives away its center core," Miller said.

After the forum, Jerrie Heisserer said she will rally for votes. She is a member of the Yes Cape Schools Committee, which was set up to promote the bond proposal. Missouri election law bars school districts from advocating passage of ballot measures.

The mother of two district graduates and a sophomore, Heisserer said she supports the need for public schools.

"I think they've done their homework," she said of district officials.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO

1000 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO