Iola Superintendent Brian Pekarek is in the preliminary stages of forming a long-range planning committee to research new facilities for the USD 257 school district.
The school board authorized a committee in September and expressed interest in pursuing options to look at new building construction at its Feb. 13 meeting.
“I would like to start this committee in early March,” Pekarek said.
A mounting list of building needs district wide — estimated to cost as much as $10 million over 10 years — coupled with a lack of capital outlay funds, prompted the district to review new facilities.
The district reviewed a
possible bond issue for new facilities from 2005 to 2008, however, no vote was ever cast.
Work done then will be taken into consideration, Pekarek said.
“Since this has been a 7-year process … I want to honor the work that was done on this process in some capacity already,” said USD 257’s top administrator. “I also know that things change.”
Pekarek said he wants the committee to consist of as many original members as possible as but would be open to a new roster if that is the direction the board and other school personnel want to pursue.
“We can start this committee with the exact individuals that we had when we disbanded the committee in December of 2008. After we contact individuals about the meeting in order to see if they are still interested, then we can fill in the gaps with the new positions as needed,” he said. “Or we can start this committee with new teachers, site council members, administrators, board members and directors that we have now.”
About 30 people served on the long-range planning committee last time around.
