SCHOOL BOARD MEETS BRIEFLY ON SCHOOL TAX

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education met briefly in the bleachers at the Show Me Center Wednesday morning to revise the district's 1991-92 tax rate.

The meeting was held just prior to welcome back to school activities.

Superintendent Neyland Clark apologized for the "unorthodox" meeting place, but said the meeting would be brief. It lasted about 5 minutes.

With board members gathered around, standing near the seats, on the stairs and along the red railing separating the two seating tiers, the board voted to raise the tax rate by 1 cent to $2.85.

The board had approved the tax rate at it's meeting earlier this month, but Business Manager Larry Dew explained that the school district's assessed valuation has increased by about $4.5 million thanks to the addition of Dana Corp.

The change in assessed valuation changes the Proposition C rollback from 37 cents from 38 cents, thus adding one cent to the local tax rate.

Board president Pat Ruopp commented on the change of structure for "regular" board of education meetings. Clark provides written information on specific agenda items explaining the administrative recommendation.

"I don't want the board to be perceived as a rubber-stamp to all administrative recommendations," Ruopp said. "If board members have any concerns we need to get it out and discuss it at the meetings."