Four Schools Will Review New Studies

With the January 30 meeting approaching to release results from feasibility studies for Orchard, Clearwater, Verdigre and Ewing, stakeholders are being encouraged to not only attend the meeting, but also to speak at it.

“I hope we have good attendance and people are not afraid to stand up and voice their opinion, even if their neighbor has a differing opinion,” said board member Terri Hergert during Monday’s monthly Unified District board meeting. “We need to know from a majority of our people, not just a handful.”

The joint meeting will be January 30 in Orchard at 6:30 p.m. between Orchard, Clearwater, Verdigre and Ewing as they learn the results of various feasibility studies on reorganizing, possibly through consolidation or unification.

Superintendent Dale Martin said all four boards will be seated in the middle of the gym with microphones to improve sound to the audience. He said there will be public comment at the meeting, which is expected to last several hours.

The Unified District board has given its schools — Orchard, Clearwater and Verdigre — a March deadline to decide whether or not they want to extend unification past 2020.

“I think that’s a good idea to get some public input and find out where things stand,” Martin said. “And that will help lead direction to where things go. Nothing has changed with that March deadline. That’s where we’re at.”

Orchard board members said they will host a community meeting on Feb. 20 with plans to gather input from the public.

Marty Kerkman said Clearwater plans to have an original board meeting in early February and then possibly a community meeting. Peggy Liska said Verdigre will likely do the same after gathering information on the studies.

The Antelope County News will live stream the meeting for those unable to attend.