Cape schools begin next step of drafting strategic plan

The next leg of the Cape Girardeau School District's strategic-planning process is underway.

Superintendent Jim Welker told the school board during its meeting Monday night a community-wide survey has concluded, and responses are being tabulated by Hendrickson Business Advisors, the firm hired by the district to help guide the process.

Close to 900 people participated in the survey that went online Sept. 30. It asked participants everything from what the district's primary job is to what skills students should master by the time they graduate from high school.

Of the responses, 199 were from parents, 362 from students, 266 from staff members and 66 from the community.

When Hendrickson is finished collating the responses, they will be presented to the district's executive team in November. A 25-member steering committee also will hold a retreat next month.

After that, the strategic plan is expected to be finalized and presented to the school board for approval in December. It will guide the district's priorities for the next five to 10 years.

In other business, the board gave first reading to a few new policies that deal with bullying, including cyberbullying and ensuring policies are published in the student handbook.

Per a new state law, the policies also separate hazing from bullying and give bullying an entry all its own.

Action could be taken on the items at the board's next meeting in November.

Also Monday, the board approved an upgrade to the parking lot lights at the high school and the Career and Technology Center.

The new lights will be LED lights with a 10-year warranty, and the project is expected to cost almost $39,000.

ljones@semissourian.com

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