The Cape Girardeau School District may get some help on updating vocational-technical education from Southeast Missouri State University. The university wants join with the public schools to build a $5.5 million vocational-technical center that would provide training in advanced manufacturing technology.

This partnership makes sense. Such a facility could support high school, tech-prep, associate and baccalaureate degree programs as well as customized training for industries. A larger building would allow the school district to expand its highly successful vocational program, with the help of higher education dollars.

A need definitely exists for increased associate and baccalaureate programs in technology. Without a community college nearby, some of these advanced technology programs simply aren't available here.

This proposed educational partnership would benefit potential students, industry and taxpayers.