The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Committee of 10 Looks at Building Options

by David Grimes, Quill correspondent

La Harpe What voters will look at in the way of a ballot question regarding school locations in the Roseville, Northwest, La Harpe and Colchester school districts this fall is being hammered out by the buildings committee of the Committee of 10, the group appointed by those districts to research the details and nuances of a four-district consolidation.

Only one building reconfiguration option will be voted on, but the committee is seeking input from district voters as to which option they would prefer to see.

the four options are:

1. A centralized 6-12 facility at the current Northwestern Junior and Senior high School at Sciota. The La Harpe elementary School building would close with students attending classes at the current high school building.
   
   One school building each would close at Roseville and Colchester. the Northwestern elementary School building at Good Hope would close, with those 191 students being absorbed into one of the three remaining elementary schools.
   
   A centralized 9-12 facility located at Sciota, with 6-8 facilities at Roseville and Colchester. Elementary school buildings at Good Hope and La Harpe would close. La Harpe elementary students would attend classes in the current high school facility. Again, Northwestern elementary students would be absorbed into one of the three remaining elementary schools.
2. A centralized 9-12 facility located at Sciota, with 6-8 facilities at Roseville and Colchester. Elementary school buildings at Good Hope and LaHarpe would close. LaHarpe elementary students would attend classes in the current high school facility. Again, Northwestern elementary students would be absorbed into the three remaining elementary schools.
3. A 9-12 facility at Sciota with preK through 8 facilities at Roseville, Colchester and LaHarpe. Elementary buildings at LaHarpe and Good Hope would close. Northwestern Elementary students would be absorbed into one of the three remaining district grade schools.
4. A 9-12 facility at Roseville and a 6-8 facility at Sciota. One building at Colchester would close, as would the elementary building at Good Hope. The La Harpe elementary building would close, with those students attending class in the current high school building. Northwestern grade school students would again be absorbed into the three remaining elementary schools.
   
   Construction of any new facilities as in the recommendation of Max Pierson, who authored the group's consolidation study, is not being considered at this time. Committee of 10 co-chairman Steve Rodeffer said the plans involved building closings as well as some building renovation, depending upon which option is selected.

The Committee of 10 next meets at Northwestern High School at 7 p.m. Thursday.