School board looking at long-range plans, new building could be eyed Oct. 6, 2009 With the sting from a 2006 referendum defeat lingering, the Antigo school board Monday began discussing a long-range facilities plan that may once again seek voter approve for new elementary facilities.
“The board needs to make a stand on this,” Board President Gary Kieper said, saying that it is time for the years of talking, planning and budget cuts to end. “It is time to do something.”
At a special meeting, the board formally went on record in favor of preserving the present grade configurations of a 9-12 high school, 6-8 middle school and PreK-5 elementary school system, laying the groundwork for future facility discussions and a possible referendum vote. That affirmation came on a 7-1 vote with Mark Resch opposed and Roseann Hoffman absent.
A second vote, with an identical margin, directed the administration to gather detailed enrollment and cost information on several elementary alternatives, including a potential compromise plan that would construct one centralized elementary school for city and perhaps Pleasant View students, while leaving the rural elementary school system intact for one.
The board also directed the administration to prepare updated plans on a centralized elementary school for all students, similar to the plan that was defeated in September, 2006. That $21.5 million plan was flunked by the voters, 2,484 to 1,727, or 59 percent against to 41 percent in favor.
The focus of the 90-minute discussion was whether the district should compromise in an effort to gain more votes in rural areas, or proceed with the centralized proposal that teachers, administrators and most board members agree would be best economically and educationally.
District Administrator Roxann Bornemann said that compromise approach, while far from perfect, could be more palatable to the electorate.
“It was very emotional,” she said of the 2006 decision. “That’s why I think a compromise plan might be in order.”
Mike Boldig and Joe Kretz agreed that a compromise that approach had merit. Combining the city schools at a central site, while keeping the rural elementary facilities operating, could gain some country support, they said.
But Dr. Gary Hegranes said that would still result in unequal educational opportunities for students. Instead, he said, the district should stress the expanded offerings rural students would receive at a central school.
“If we made it a great experience here, we could have rural kids wanting to come into town,” he said.
One thing was clear—the district must do something. It cannot continue to operate seven elementary schools, only three of which have over 150 students each, while cutting upwards of $700,000 from its budget. One school, Mattoon, has just 83 pupils. The largest, West, has 202.
“We’re replicating services seven times when we have seven elementary schools,” B ornemann said, adding that the current elementary set-up is “almost off the map small.”
“The more buildings you keep, the more reductions are needed,” she stressed. “We have to be more efficient. We can’t run schools of 100 students. That’s ridiculous.”
Resch floated a different approach—aggressively marketing a combined high school with the Elcho and White Lake school districts.
“I don’t think you can get a positive vote on a new school,” he said, suggesting that a combined high school at a centralized location may become reality over the long run. “There is no doubt in my mind you’re going to see those districts go away.”
The board briefly reviewed enrollment numbers as well, a key component in determining state aid and revenue caps.
“Overall, our enrollment is dropping approximately 50 students a year,” Director of Business Services Mary Jo Filbrandt said.
Elementary enrollments are expected to stay stable at about 1,000 students and the middle level at around 500 students. The high school is expected to drop about 140 students in the next four to five years.
The board will review the issue again in November, when construction estimates may be available.
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