Area experts hope to answer the questions of citizens concerned about local schools at a public forum Tuesday evening at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
With the vote on whether to build a new elementary school only three weeks away, the forum will feature experts in soil remediation, education, architecture and finance.
The meeting is open to the public at no cost beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the main auditorium. Panelists will take a few minutes at the beginning of the session to explain their upcoming roles if voters approve the April 2 bond issue, followed by a time for members of the audience to ask questions.
Questions fielded so far include:
? ?How will new facilities improve education??
? ?Is it possible to remedy the soil on the proposed site??
? ?How will one elementary be better than the current three attendance centers??
? ?Can we expect to see a good return on our $25.5 million investment??
? ?How will a new school be safer??
? ?Why is the proposed school located on the east side of town??
? ?What will happen to our current elementary schools if they are abandoned??
? ?Is there a long-range plan for the middle school and high school??
? ?Wouldn?t renovating be cheaper than building new??
? ?How safe would it be for kids to walk to the new school??
In addition to a new elementary, the bond issue includes a vote to build a new science and technology center for the high school for $7 million and a new heating and cooling system for the middle school for $2.8 million.
PANELISTS include local citizens Ryan Sparks, Iola, and Savannah Flory, LaHarpe, who as young parents and business owners have taken an active role with the 257 United campaign to bring new schools and upgrades to the district.
Both joined a committee to study USD 257 schools about 18 months ago. During that process the two have changed their positions from renovating existing grade schools to building one comprehensive building that will serve pre-kindergarteners up through fifth grade, or about 600 students. If approved, the new school would welcome students in 2021.
?We looked at a bunch of different options,? Flory said in a recent interview. ?As much as we tried to make it happen, renovating those schools just did not make sense.?