CAPE SCHOOL BOARD HOLDS RETREAT TODAY

Bob Fox, president of Cape Girardeau's Board of Education, is hopeful that a new strategic planning process will help restore community confidence in Cape Girardeau's schools.

The Board of Education meets today for an annual planning session. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau and is open to the public. It is scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m.

"I hope we can get things turned around and moving the right direction," Fox said. He hopes a strategic planning process the district is about to begin will pave the road.

Board member Harry Rediger with Superintendent Neyland Clark is organizing the planning process. A review of that process is on today's agenda.

Rediger has said he hopes the planning process will open communication, involve lots of people and get the district back on the right track. Committees should be in place by the start of school.

The district has floundered for the past several months following questions about school finances and then changes in the school board.

The new board's priority is to develop a strategic plan.

Rediger envisions committees of parents and residents at each school building and committees of staff members at each building looking at what particular schools do well and what the greatest needs are.

Because five of the board's seven members are new, the agenda also includes an orientation session by the Missouri School Boards Association. The Missouri School Boards Association is also leading a session on self-evaluation for board members.

Fox wants the Cape Girardeau board to annually review and evaluate what has happened during the year.

RETREAT AGENDA

Annual Board Planning Meeting

Saturday, Aug. 12

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Inn, Cape Girardeau

8-8:15 a.m. Statement of purpose

8:15-10 Review of strategic planning process

10-10:15 Break

10:30-12 Board orientation phase II (MSBA)

12-12:45 Lunch

12:45-3:30 Board self evaluation (MSBA facilitating)

3:30-4 Summary Session