The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor
Southern board members appeared to be in total agreement on Monday evening that they were not ready to commit to going on the ballot in November, along with La Harpe, Colchester, Northwest and Roseville.
During public comment at Monday nights school board meeting Brad Hunt and Steve Rodeffer representing the Committee of 10 encouraged board members to let the community decide if the five school consolidation was what they wanted.
They said the board still had several weeks to back out if they so desired, even after their name is in the petition.
Doug Brooks said the question he has been asked is where the school will be built? "While it was recommended Blandinsville in the study", Mr. Hunt said, "nothing is in concrete and that is what a new committee would decide. "
When asked where the school would need to be built to make Southern happy, Jon Corzatt said if each were asked there would be 7 different answers.
Karen Jack stated she feels Southern is still at the elementary stage of the study and to go on the November ballot is hard for them.
While there was only 10% of the surveys returned that were sent out to the residents of the Southern District earlier, 72 % of those returned favored consolidation. And of this same group 28% expressed interest in talking to Union, 32% were in favor of Union and Roseville and only 5% favored the five school merger.
While this is a very small percentage the members feel it is their obligation to look at the north end since it appears this is what the people want.
Southern's Discovery Committee and President Jon Corzatt attended Yorkwood's March board meeting last Monday. Yorkwood is currently in a consolidation study with Alexis and Warren. No plans were made but the Discovery Committee ended with an invitation for future talks.
The Discovery Committee is also making plans to meet with Union's newly appointed committee.
Patrick Brokaw spoke during public comment requesting the opportunity to enter the school in the state cross-country series this fall. This would allow Theresa Brokaw and other interested students to participate. He stated it would be at no cost to the district as he would be willing to pay the fees. The board took no action at this time.
Approval was given for a 2002 Baseball fund raiser "Home Run-A-Thon" Players would get sponsors for every home run hit by the Southern Baseball team. Any amount of money per home run could be pledged, with the money collected at the end of the regular season. The money would be used for remainder of showcase expense; improvements to baseball field and concession stand and possible payments toward a new scoreboard.
Following closed session the board:
All members were present.
The next board meeting will be held on Monday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Unit Office.