Elkhorn Valley Bond: Building FOR Falcons Committee Formed

A group of interested citizens held a meeting regarding the upcoming school bond decision on July 12 at the Meadow Fire Hall last week.  

The group decided to form the “Building FOR Falcons Committee" in an effort to provide more information to the voting public regarding the proposed new 7-12 school currently being planned.
 
Ross Tegeler of Meadow Grove was elected to preside over the committee, with Sheena (Stone) Tegeler serving as vice-president and Amber Wilcox serving as treasurer.  Kirby Tegeler agreed to serve as the secretary of the group. 

Keith Leckron was invited to provide information to the group regarding the background leading up to the board’s decision to propose a renovation or new building, and to explain the current needs for the school.   Also present were the architects that have offered several design options to the school board and public as the decision was being made on whether to renovate or rebuild. 

There was a discussion held to review some of the reasons the school board had decided to propose building a new 7-12 school on the current site.  Some of them included the high cost of renovating the existing one hundred year old building, such as the need to replace the boiler heating system which alone estimated would cost a million dollars.  

Other factors included that the electrical systems in the structure not being adequate anymore to handle the increased computer systems and electronics needed to hold classes. 

Also the challenges of very uneven heating of the structure, with some rooms being cold while others were over heated in the winter.

Another reason for the new building was given that the board had decided to add a new agriculture program for the students.   

This program, which would be beneficial in introducing the expanding world of agriculture and related technologies to students, would need additional space.   

The group decided to name the group the “Building FOR Falcons Committee,” because it best explains why the group is taking action. 

​The reason, they said, is the understanding is that for our community to grow and to best educate our children for the future, no different than any good business, we must invest in good facilities to have the best outcome.  Elkhorn Valley Schools is already seen as an outstanding academic school in the area, with nearly half of the graduating class holding 4.0 grade point averages.