I sent this to the Wisner News Chronicle to be published this week, and it should appear in todays paper (Nov. 19, 2014). “This is no Ordinary Decision” Dear Editor, 1. I do believe our School District 30 will be stronger and even better with a growing, THRIVING Pilger, which a visionary “school/after school care/community rec/senior center” complex would make much more likely (See “Pros” letter below). 2. I believe our school board is feeling pressure from a false sense of urgency due to a pre-supposed insurance “2 year” construction deadline. 3. Multi-million dollar decisions need to involve all District patrons. All District 30 patrons are invited and needed to attend and participate in the Re-building Pilger Town Hall meeting tomorrow night, Thursday, Nov 20, at 6:30 at the Wisner City Auditorium, as what happens to Pilger affects our school district tax base and student enrollment. Our school board has been called upon to go above and beyond the ordinary scope of their responsibilities. Deciding where to re-build our school is not an ordinary decision facing the District 30 school board. We elect our six member board, in good faith, with the expectation they will inform and receive patron input on major projects affecting the entire district. The decision to locate a new school anywhere in District 30 is one that would ordinarily involve a vote of the District 30 patrons, due to the need for a bond issue. The disaster in June changed some of the parameters, with insurance money available, but not the scope of such a major decision, one that involves millions of dollars. It truly impacts more than students and staff, indeed, the entirety of the District 30 patrons, as well. Our elected board has a responsibility to involve the district community before making such a monumental siting decision on the multi-million dollar building project. Having funds more readily available due to the tragedy does not relieve the board of their information/input gathering responsibility. Rushing a decision without this step would not be prudent and could lead to a poor decision. Pilger re-building committees have been developing some exciting plans with volunteer professional help and foundation interest, but few in the District know of these possibilities. The board’s co-sponsoring of district wide informational/input sessions and holding off a few months on this siting decision would allow the board and the patrons the necessary time to be informed of the full range of the educational/community opportunities and funding sources available to build an even better, more comprehensive facility. This could possibly be done with even fewer district funds! And as a matter of note, the FEMA/NEMA contribution formula involves a match from the District of the NEMA portion of the building cost not covered by insurance. Unless we build with a budget that is within the insurance figure, or have outside foundation help and other donations, there will be some cost to the district. I urge all District 30 patrons to attend the next Pilger Town Hall meeting at the Wisner Auditorium Thursday night (tomorrow), Nov. 20 to hear about the collaborative ideas, donated time and materials and comprehensive school/community building/senior center plans that are contributing to the larger vision of a re-built, even better Pilger. Come to share your ideas, too! Also, plan to attend the next school board meeting on December 1 and see if your board is listening! Due to an out-of-state commitment preventing my attendance at the November District 30 Board of Education meeting, my letter below was printed and handed to each board member and to Superintendent, Chad Boyer. I ask that it also be printed in this letter to the editor in its entirety. Thanks! Peace in Jesus, Cindy Goeller Pros for building a school back in Pilger: 1. Economics and Excellence in Education - Short term vs long term benefits It will benefit the the Wisner-Pilger School District community in the longer term to have, not just a surviving Pilger, but a THRIVING Pilger that attracts new, young families to build in Pilger, both in property tax base and in student numbers. In the decision making process we are going to have to consider if we are looking for the option with the cheapest way to replace the school facility and, possibly, the cheapest to operate in the short term, or are we looking for the option that has potential to build the tax base and attract new families to our community and likely be the best economic long term viability option. Rural school districts with diminishing populations have a difficult time offering the variety of programs needed/desired at a student cost-effective price. Increasing the student population and property tax base is what other districts wish they could do. It is a rare and great opportunity and responsibility to be able to make a decision that could actually make a difference in that growth in our school community! Educational excellence decisions must include this consideration. 2. Student/Community/Business Involvement and Experience Opportunities Having a multi-functional complex of school, technical labs, early childhood education, after school care, recreation, community center, senior citizens and business co-op type opportunities gives our district a wonderful avenue to institute programs of student/community involvement and experience that will even better prepare our students for becoming well-functioning and involved citizens. That is educational excellence. 3. Funding Opportunities Research into grants and foundations interested in helping re-build Pilger has shown us that there will probably be more money available for that effort if we have done our home-work and have a collaborative vision that serves more of the community. In addition, that might actually save the W-P school district some building funds that could then be used to hire additional staff to work with kids at various reading and math levels. Other school districts have initiated successful programs to address this ability challenge within limited grade levels in a facility. Having all elementary and middle school students at the same site is not the only way to move in that direction. Using all funds available enables positive changes for more educational excellence. 4. Responsible Timing of Decision Making a hasty decision before having all the information needed is usually a poor choice. While the grounds committee members have been doing some good groundwork gathering information, there is more to be considered. The UNL at UNO Durham Center has students and professors working pro bono on a visionary plan for a more collaborative plan for re-building Pilger. That initial drawing will be done the end of January. It would be very helpful to actually see how all these possibilities could look and work to make our school district community even better. More funding sources will be identified by then, also. Negotiating the delay of that start date for that two year insurance window is imperative. Since the adjusters have taken so long to get figures to the board, that should be a strong possibility. If the Pilger site is chosen, construction could begin relatively quickly as the site is cleared now and has some infrastructure already. Waiting to have all the pieces in place before making decisions that affect so many lives leads to educational excellence, as well. Being an example of good leadership is important to the whole community. Thank you for considering these points in your discussions and decision making process. We are praying for you as you lead our school community into the best future possible for all our students and patrons. Peace in Jesus, Cindy Goeller Do all your work in love. I Cor 16:14
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:10:46 +0000
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