Letter to the editor — June 28, 2017

Dear editor,
Once again, the plan to replace our existing three elementary schools with one consolidated school has become a subject of public conversation. One plan mentioned in an opinion piece in the Register on June 21 was a location north of the middle school. This is essentially the same plan I mentioned in a letter to the forum in August 2014 when the city was getting ready to vote on new schools on the north side of Oregon Road. My plan was dismissed as unworkable as I mentioned the closing of Cottonwood Street between Jackson and Monroe streets.
My latest suggestion is to acquire the 10 privately owned properties bordered by Jackson, Colborn, Cottonwood and the railroad right-of-way on the north. This could be done by buying the houses or by eminent domain if necessary. In fact, one home on Jackson was torn down just a few days ago. The house on the corner of Jackson and Colborn is for sale.
A couple of these houses are in a poor state of repair and probably should be condemned and torn down. The buildings across Cottonwood to the east already belong to USD 257 and could be removed.
The new school could be built on this space, maybe two-story if necessary, to allow space for playgrounds. The money saved by not having to buy the very expensive property on Oregon Road could be used to acquire the property.
I believe the citizens of Iola would like to see the school built in a central location instead of out in the country away from town, which was the 2014 plan. Maybe I am “old school,” but the children could walk or ride their bikes to this central school.
Paul L. Zirjacks,
Iola, Kan.