The consensus of the Prairie Central Board of Education at its December meeting seemed to be in favor of moving ahead with putting a referendum question back on the ballot in April.
This comes after the previous proposition was voted down in November’s General Election which asked voters for the issuance of school building bonds to build and equip a new elementary school building. This also included repairs and site improvements to the high school, junior high and upper elementary while plans called for closing the schools in Chenoa and Chatsworth.
An early January special meeting is expected for formal approval of putting a question on the upcoming ballot for Prairie Central voters to once again decide. January 13 is the deadline to put it on the April ballot.
“You can alter the question,” Superintendent Paula Crane told board members.
For the wording, Crane explained certain items can and cannot be included. Crane admits they possibly did not get the proper education out to voters about the previous question and needed to put it in more simple terms.
“We’ve done everything in our power to keep the tax rate the same,” said Crane.
Board member Brad Duncan was the first to say he was in favor of putting this back on the ballot.
“Regardless of staff, for me it comes down to kids and better education,” he noted.
Member Ben Stoller said he too is in favor of taking it back to the voters.
“There was a lot of misinformation out there.”
Stoller highlighted an “urgency” about what needs to be done with district buildings.
“Giving it another shot is the right thing to do. I’d be in favor of it,” added board member Corey Steffen.
Brian Plenert reminded his fellow school board members that they are there representing kids for the future.
“People are making decisions today for tomorrow.”
While Plenert said he is for putting this back on the ballot, if it doesn’t pass, he is open to trying something else. He liked to see Chenoa stand up for the school and town.
“You’re part of the district,” said Plenert.
Board member Ted Bachtold applauded everyone for what they shared in a potentially divisive issue. Bachtold reluctantly supports putting the question back on the upcoming ballot as he dislikes the short time in the process. He feels there really isn’t enough time to listen to both sides.
“We can’t change the voting cycles. I do think there’s a sense of urgency,” observed Bachtold.
Board President John Wilken referred to the “urgency” mentioned by some.
“I don’t think anyone more than the board has felt this urgency,” he said.
Wilken believes November was a rush from the very beginning and called the April deadline a “bummer.”
“These buildings need to be improved,” stated Wilken.
Wilken looked back on the original 1985 consolidation of the district which created Prairie Central, a time he considers special. He is calling on community members to find ways to make whatever happens work – whether the vote passes or fails.
“We need to know what needs to be done,” Wilken said. “If it doesn’t pass, we don’t need to panic, either.”
Several members of the public spoke at the start of the meeting, including Prairie Central Education Association President Caren Appel. She explained they are surveying all of the school board candidates running in the upcoming election and plan to make the results public through a website PCEA created.
“PCEA hopes all candidates choose to complete the survey,” said Appel.
A candidate night has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the high school gym.
Third grade teacher Kelly Frambes was the next to speak. She shared information on a petition from staff and faculty on the need for updated buildings. They asked the board to place the referendum on the April ballot for voter consideration.
“We’d like to give our children the best chance for success,” Frambes said.
Spencer Shipley of Chenoa referred to the results of the November election as showing Chenoa has passionate opinions about keeping the schools. He said both sides can agree infrastructure needs to be upgraded but called for keeping Chenoa’s school open and making it more “useful.”
“I don’t think we put forward the best solution for the bussing issue,” Shipley commented.
Alissa Fosdick said with the time and resources already put into the process, the question should be put back on the ballot in April. She said the morale of staff in PC Primary West, Primary East and Prairie Central Elementary is horrible.
“Show your commitment to them by putting the referendum back on the ballot,” added Fosdick.
Prairie Central resident but GCMS graduate Michael Reiners was the next to speak. He attended the PACT meetings and noted shock did not begin to describe how he felt when they showed pictures of schools.
“Our kids deserve better,” he said.
Tim Jolly noted a loss of students in the district since Chenoa joined 20 years ago, saying some students went to surrounding communities.
“Do we want a unified, robust district or a divided, declining district?” asked Jolly.
Jolly wants to see a strong school district and feels it is important to have communities on the outside perimeter involved. He urged more transparency if the referendum returns with community meetings.
John Cerda shared his thoughts on centralization which he thinks should not be a consideration in a large district. He called for an option having K-5 in Chenoa.
“This plan could eliminate long bus rides for the youngest children in the district,” Cerda explained.
Joe Moreland had kids graduate from Prairie Central and believes all schools need to be upgraded.
“New isn’t better,” Moreland said.
Moreland would vote yes for rebuilding schools instead of closing them down.
Anna Schmidgall said teachers need to have the best tools and encouraged the board to put the referendum back to the voters for teachers and students at PC.
“That starts with adequate, safe and up to date buildings. Our teachers deserve better because our students deserve better.”
Also at the December meeting, the board approved a resolution of intent to issue $7 million in working cash bonds so needed repair work can continue.
“When the referendum didn’t pass, it didn’t mean that now we don’t need these repairs,” said Superintendent Crane. “We still need money to do these projects.”
The $7 million in working cash bonds will not increase the tax rate but keep it level, according to Crane. This is nothing new as Wilken reminded the public the district has issued bonds for the past several years.
Money comes into the working cash fund but will be used for capital projects.
This was simply a resolution of the intent to pass the bonds but the actual vote for the bond will be at the January board meeting.
