Unified Discusses The Future, Prepares For Next Meeting

Questions and answers was the theme of the Unified board’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, as they prepared to meet with Dr. Gerald Ehlers on Monday, December 19th for further clarification on the feasibility study.

“That’s what we’ll do Monday, too,” said superintendent Dale Martin. “That chance to ask him specific things.”

A major clarifying point that the board briefly discussed was the bond issue, which was calculated including Verdigre’s tax levy.

“I guess I was surprised that as many as these as he has done, he through the bond issue on the wrong tax base,” said Terri Hergert. “Because he included Verdigre in that and he shouldn’t have.”

“He noticed that right at the end of the meeting, finally he saw it once it got up there,” explained Martin. “ . . . He caught it that night but it was right at the end. . . and he sent out the correction fairly soon. And that’s the key, we want to get accurate information as much as we can.”

Projected enrollment numbers were also a topic of discussion, as the numbers show that significant change could be coming in the numbers in Orchard and affect site location for Clearwater-Orchard.

“What’s going to happen with enrollment? We have seen a few small increases in kids in Orchard with some young families moving back, how much that’s going to be we don’t know some of it,” said Martin. “I took a look at some of these families and the kids, and I think, are we going to have all these kids come at both Clearwater and Orchard? Maybe, maybe not. With option enrollment being so easily done we just don’t know. If it says 20 kids, it might be less than 20 . . . or it might be more . . . As you look at projections, I guess keep those things in mind that it’s not cut and dry.”

As for Ewing, the school board is still discussing the future and looking to schedule a follow-up meeting with Ehlers.

“Well, I sense that probably their first choice would be a new building,” said Joe Thiele. “But I don’t know that they’ve ruled out a second choice either . . . I hear a little talk even in Clearwater about looking into a new building a little further just to get some firm numbers.”

The board discussed some questions regarding a new facility, including how the building estimates shown on the feasibility study were made and the costs of land acquisition.

“My opinion is that our first option should be what can we do to utilize what we have for existing facilities before we consider building a new facility,” said Terry Hergert. “To me there’s nothing wrong with our buildings, to me there’s no need to build more. We need to explore all of our options on how to utilize what we already have . . . You have to consider all three sites.”

Peggy Liska, a Verdigre board member, brought up the possibility of the high school in one town, middle school in the other and Pre K-4 in the third town. That’s an option the feasibility study didn’t consider, as the board previously said they did not think the three towns would send elementary students to another site.

“I don’t think it was in there because we would like to keep our Pre K-4 at home,” said Hergert, “if at all possible, at all three sites.

“I think it’s a great time to throw everything on the table,” said Thiele.

Hergert also suggested they discuss finding a central location for all three schools--Clearwater-Orchard, Ewing and Verdigre.

Martin said that he does not see any actions being taken with Ewing for next school year, and instead believes site location should be the Unified board’s priority.

“I would say we need to keep moving forward with our talks here. We need to have a decision by January if we’re going to do something different staffing wise,” said Martin. “I think Ewing is looking at that too. What is Clearwater-Orchard going to do?”

The board considered various options, including separating the two sites, which would add a lot of expenses to both sites, and site rotation.

“Why isn’t leaving it the way it is an option,” asked Marty Kerkman. “The numbers say that down the road the high school will be in Orchard.”

Liska agreed, saying, “If you left it the way it is now and say in five years the high school moves to orchard it will stay there indefinitely until there’s a significant change in numbers again.”

Terra Willaby and Hergert members were unsure that the predictions are accurate and that significant change will really move the high school to Orchard eventually.

“After two years of talking about this, nobody’s come up with anything better,” said Kerkman.

The board continued discussing options, and eventually Martin brought their attention to fact that although site location is a difficult discussion, the board will have to make a decision in the next couple meetings.

“I think the question’s gonna be are we going to have agreement on whatever we come up with. That’s important. We have to come up with something that has consensus with all three of the schools, especially Clearwater-Orchard,” said Martin. “Because it affects all three--unification could be affected by this as well. I think down the road if people aren’t happy with where it’s at we could definitely have some issues. I think we have to come up with something the best we can, that we can agree to.  I don’t disagree that nobody’s been able to come up with anything. I’ve racked my brain, Marty, many times trying to come up with a different option that would satisfy all sides on this. I worry about a lot of things if we do split apart.”

The board ultimately moved on without making any decisions and agreed to tackle the issue of site location.

Ehlers will meet with the board on Monday, December 19th at 6 p.m. in Clearwater to address any questions the board might have. The meeting is also open to the public.

The next Unified Board meeting will be on January 16, in Orchard at 6 p.m.

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