SCHOOL BOARD TO STUDY DISTRICT'S FUTURE DIRECTION

A work session to examine directions that might be taken following a series of public hearings and two failed tax-increase proposals has been set by the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.

The session was set for Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. during the school board's Monday night meeting. Also Monday, the board accepted the resignation of James Englehart, director of secondary education for the past 20 years, and officially named the new gym at Central High School Tiger Fieldhouse.

In November the school board held public meetings to gather information on the direction district residents would like to see the district take. Voters twice have defeated tax increases proposed by the school board to build new buildings. The board also has said it hopes to pursue a middle school program for the district.

Information on school finance, including the impact of The Outstanding Schools Act (Senate Bill 380), is being compiled.

Board member Pat Ruopp said of the new, state school-funding law, "The financial picture for the future does not look very bright."

In April and October, voters defeated tax increase proposals that would have raised money to build new schools. Faced with no new buildings and no new funding, the school board is taking a look at how to proceed.

Englehart said he plans to retire and be a "full-time grandpa." Englehart's resignation takes effect June 30.

Englehart is the second administrator to resign in as many months. Central High School Principal Dan Milligan announced his resignation in November.

In making the announcement of Englehart's retirement, Superintendent Neyland Clark said Englehart was instrumental in his transition into the district. He said, "At the heart and core of his activity, he is still a teacher."

Board President John Campbell said of Englehart, "We appreciate the work you've done."

Englehart began working in the district in 1967, serving one year as assistant junior-high principal. He left the district for two years, returning as Central High School principal from 1970 to 1974. He has been director of secondary education since 1974.

Clark said the selection process for the high-school principal's position is under way. The job will be posted later this week at universities in the region. He said the search may extend nationally with advertisements in national publications.

"I have corresponded individually with teachers at the high school about the attributes they would like to see in a principal," Clark told the board. He said teachers listed qualities, good leadership, and effective communication skills, and dealing with students and faculty in a consistent and fair manner.

A screening committee, which will include a teacher and a student representative, will be named to look at resumes. "Hopefully we will have a recommendation by March," Clark said.

The board accepted the charter for a public school foundation. School board members make up the first board of directors. They will determine how to select directors for the organization.

The foundation is designed to be a fund-raising and donation-receiving body for the school district.

Campbell said, "There are already contributions waiting for a bank account."

In other matters:

-- Filing for two positions on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education opens at 8 a.m. Jan. 4 and closes at 5 p.m. Feb. 1. The annual school board election will be held April 5.

-- Central High School will present "The Sound of Music" March 3-5. The board approved underwriting the musical to the tune of $2,895. The production is expected to cost $9,495, but ticket sales are anticipated at $6,600.