RETREAT: SCHOOL BOARD DEBATES FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIES

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will meet for three days this weekend to formulate the basis of a five-year strategic plan for the school district.

Likely to top the agenda is the possibility of new construction in the district.

"I think the board will make some determination about a referendum," said Superintendent Neyland Clark. "Are we going to ask the community to support educational programs and facilities in the future?"

Clark said, "I think we will come out of the retreat with a mission statement for the district. I don't think we will come out with a finalized five-year plan, but I think we will have a tentative five-year plan that we can approve at a later meeting."

He also hopes the board will set specific goals for the coming year.

Clark said the board may also discuss career ladders, academic standards for graduation, increasing academic standards for students participating in extra-curricular activities, current utilization of technology in the district and the feasibility of giving patrons a choice of schools within the district.

The annual retreat is being held in Cape Girardeau to make it easier for people to attend the meeting and to save money. Earlier, plans called for the retreat to be held in St. Louis.

The retreat marks the final phase in a planning process that began in January. The process is called Project Partnership: Schools and Community.

Following an educational summit in January that brought together people from the business and education communities, three citizen committees began meeting to discuss educational programs, facilities and finances. Internally, teachers and administrators have also been collecting information and opinions on where the school district should be heading.

All the pieces will be brought together at the retreat, Clark said.

On Friday, chairmen of three Project Partnership committees will meet with the board to discuss each of their reports. Sue Balsamo was chairman of a committee studying educational programs. Bob Fox was chairman of a committee studying facilities. Harry Rediger was chairman of a committee studying finance.

Each chairman made a report concerning the committee findings to the school board at the June meetings.

"But there wasn't time for a lot of exchange," Clark said. "Now, the board has had time to read the reports and digest the information."

Clark said board members want to have input from people working inside and outside the district.

So, on Friday evening, members of the district administrative and teaching staff will join the discussion.

Saturday, after a brain-storming session, the board will begin formulating a plan for educational programs and facilities needed. A discussion of financial planning and budget projections follows.

The retreat concludes on Sunday, and the school board meets Monday for its regular monthly meeting.