CAT Tracks for February 24, 2003 The Southern Illinoisan Visits Shemwell's

CAIRO RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT ON SCHOOL'S WOES

BY JOHN D. HOMAN
THE SOUTHERN
[Sat Feb 22 2003]

CAIRO -- Roosevelt Matthews and Jerry Swank were busy sipping coffee at Shemwell's Barbecue late Thursday morning. The middle-aged men were on a break from their jobs as the lunch hour traffic slowly filtered through the door.

School issues were not at the forefront of their thoughts this day, but when asked, neither backed away from offering their views on the financial crisis facing the Cairo school district.

"It's important that our schools be kept open at all costs," Matthews said. "The state should bail us out if that's what it takes. And I think it's a good thing that the state has formed a committee (Financial Oversight Panel) to come up with some ideas on how to stay out of the hole financially."

Matthews said he does not favor building a K-8 school as has been proposed in the past.

"I don't want my taxes raised any higher than they already are," he said. "We can just fix up the schools we have."

Swank said taxes are indeed too high. "I can't understand how our government can appropriate enough money to rebuild cities that we bomb, but can't give our schools enough money to operate efficiently."

A former teachers' aide, Swank also cast a critical eye toward the district's academic problems.

"You can't put all the fault with these low test scores on the teachers," he said. "There needs to be some help from home, too. Parents need to take a more active role with their children. I know it's difficult for single parents, but you have to find a way." Matthews felt similarly. "It would also help if the state set up a tutoring program for the kids. I think that would definitely improve test scores."

Sharon Williams, a waitress at Mack's restaurant, said it's a shame the school district is in the shape that it is, but she cannot support a tax increase for city residents to help out the school district.

"Our student population is dropping every year and we've not adjusted the staffing to compensate for the lower numbers," Williams said.

Jim Wissinger, a lifelong Cairo resident who is campaigning for city commissioner, said the district's finances have been mismanaged for years.

"If the state hadn't stepped in, I don't think the district could have met the payroll," he said. "We're in a hell of a shape right now financially. Anytime the state has to form a Financial Oversight Panel to help get things straightened out, you know you're in trouble."

Wissinger said if parents and teachers would apply the same kind of work ethic and dedication to students that high school basketball coach Larry Baldwin does with his players, there would be fewer problems.

"We need more role models in the school system like Mr. Baldwin. We need more people who care about those kids."

Natalie Thomas, a teachers' aide at Emerson elementary school, praised school officials for their efforts.

"Every state has financial problems and most schools have financial problems of one kind or another," she said.

"Personally, I love it here in Cairo. I have one son who is graduating high school this year and will be attending Shawnee Community College in the fall. Another son is a freshman and is doing well in school, too.

"Everybody wants to say negative things about our town, but not me. I'm proud of where I live and I think my sons are, too."

Barbara Wilson, editor of the Cairo Citizen, believes Cairo gets more than its share of bad publicity.

"You know Cairo is a very historical community. We have Magnolia Manor, the Customs House museum and the Riverboat Days festival. It would be nice to see the media say something nice about our community for a change," she said.

"Last night, for example, our junior high basketball team won the state tournament with a perfect 27-0 record. The more negative things that are said lend to a negative perception of our town."

Wilson said one of the main reasons why smaller school districts like Cairo have experienced financial difficulties is because they have to rely so heavily on local real estate taxes at a time when that tax base has eroded.

john.homan@thesouthern.com