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Dear Editor:
For the last few weeks, I’ve been searching for answers regarding the building of a Vocation Tech addition to the High School as well as improvements to the Elementary School.
I was able to take a tour of the Elementary School conducted by the Principal, Shana Neisner. She was very helpful and forthcoming. It was apparent that the Elementary campus is overdue for updating and expansion. Some people would like to point fingers about why the campus has not been better maintained, but that’s history at this point. Due to organic growth and additional state and federal rules enacted since the buildings were constructed, the campus is just too small. That’s prop A.
Then there is the so-called Vocational Tech addition to the high school. I’ve been hoping and asking for one for 30 years. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be what we will get. Getting answers to what it will actually cost, and the plans for what will be taught is a moving target. The District is adding tens of thousands of square feet of buildings, that will have to be staffed with additional teachers/ instructors. They have to be paid. Likewise those building will consume lots of electricity, must be cooled and heated, cleaned and maintained. I submitted that question to the district bond website. It was never answered.
Many of us were hoping to get answers like this, the actual borrowing costs, and specific answers as to what courses will be taught in the Votech addition, at a recent town hall meeting. Before the meeting, the Superintendent’s assistant sent an email saying that they would not answer questions at a town hall or open forum! They claim their lawyers advised them not to. I think we need different lawyers or Superintendent to do the bidding of the citizens, not just a few secretive officials.
The super did show up at the meeting, with a mind numbing visual presentation with spread sheets and graphs. It the same thing on their website. However, when specific questions started being asked by a School Board candidate, the Super directed his staff to leave with him.
Here are a couple questions and concerns; What will the total cost of the bond be, to the voters. I found the answer in a closely held legal document the district has not made easy to get. $26.7 million is the total borrowing cost, for both propositions.
What will the final costs be to operate the school with the new buildings and staff required? The answer from the Super, just before he left was, its the same as it is now. I guess the new teachers and staff are going to work for free and AEP is going to supply the electricity for free. Insurance must be free also.
What is actually going to be taught in the Votech addition? The answer so far is, ‘not yet decided”, but the kids are going to make that decision! Whoa! Can we get some adults to be in charge? I’ve never heard of such a thing for a public school.
Why wasn’t the building designed for the technology to be used in it first? Not answered except, see the answer above.,, and “ WE JUST NEED TO BUILD THE BUILDING” For a couple days after seeing the Bond Committee road show, I had this feeling of Dejavu. Then it came to me- it was just like a Time Share presentation I attended years ago. “Just sign up and those details about costs will be answered later”. The board needs to go back to the drawing board. Do it right or not at all.
Chris Christenson
Columbus
