Over the past several years I’ve sat in on three series of meetings focused on providing USD 257 students better educations through improved facilities.
The first effort ended when the economy soured in 2007. The second resulted in a failed vote for an all-inclusive campus at the north edge of town in 2014.
Now, we’re at it again with a series of committee meetings for those interested. Another meeting, with the public welcome, will be at 6 p.m. Monday at the middle school.
All USD 257 buildings were built to accommodate the ways education was delivered three-quarters of a century ago. Expensive needs have been well-documented. In a perfect world the three elementary schools and the middle and high schools would have been replaced years ago. The two secondary schools were remodeled within the past 25 years — the high school after failed bond issues for a new school. Those remodels have outlived their usefulness.
Discussion to date seems to favor construction of a new elementary school for all grades, arranged and outfitted to provide students with the best of all educational environments. If that doesn’t gain currency, retreating to a plan involving current elementary schools may be an acceptable alternative, with McKinley abandoned and Lincoln and Jefferson being upgraded and expanded.
Lincoln is accompanied by a fair amount of district-owned property. Jefferson isn’t, but there are ways of solving the problem, including that ugly word, condemnation.
Such an approach would mean the Bowlus Fine Arts Center continues as a very important adjunct to education. New and innovative ways to use the Bowlus, yet to be proposed, would make it even more valuable.
Think boldly. Offer your thoughts and suggestions to the committee or in a letter to the Register.
Asking our kids to remain in schools designed for their great-grandparents is a travesty.
