Board states resolve (04/11/07)

BERNE - South Adams School Board members expressed frustration and determination Tuesday in the face of a remonstrance petition that has thrown a barrier in the path of a major school construction project.

"It is very disappointing," board president Tony Mellencamp said.

"It makes you want to cry," added board member John Mann.

"But we are where we are, and people have rights," responded Mellencamp.

Where they are is at the start of a 30-day "cooling off" period prior to a second 30-day period when competing petitions both for and against the school construction project will be circulated.

That process was set in motion last week when opponents of the project, led by Hartford Township farmer Ed Dunmoyer, submitted a remonstrance petition to the Adams County auditor.

"Once he filed the petition, the law takes over," said South Adams superintendent Cathy Egolf. "It's going to cost the taxpayers more. ... We have effectively put the building off for a year. ... We're going to hurt the kids and we're going to hurt the taxpayers."

Egolf estimated the impact of the delays caused by the remonstrance at between $1 million and $2 million and indicated that renovations to South Adams High School may have to be deferred in order to stay under the $25 million limit established by the board.

Plans call for a new kindergarten through eighth grade facility to be constructed adjacent to the high school, replacing the aging middle school in Geneva and elementary school in Berne.

Originally, the maximum price tag for the project was set at $35 million. But in March, the board lowered the maximum limit to $25 million.

The board is using a design/build approach to the project which is expected to allow greater cost control. The board also shifted improvements to the high school swimming pool to the capital projects fund, eliminating that cost from the proposed bond issue.

Despite the remonstrance petition, board members showed no sign of backing away from the project Tuesday.

"It's not like we're making this up," said Mellencamp. "We need a new building. Taxes are how you pay for it. It's a fact of life."

The board had originally hoped to issue bonds for the project in July and start construction this fall. Now, even if the project wins community support during the competitive petition drive, it's likely that serious construction would be delayed until next spring.

Egolf and Mellencamp noted that they had been contacted by a number of people who had signed the original remonstrance petition but now wanted to have their names removed.

However, Egolf explained, that was no longer possible after the petition was submitted to the auditor.

Those people do have the option of signing a petition 30 days from now in support of the project.

When the competitive petition drive takes place, petitions opposing the project will be blue and those in support of the project will be yellow.

In other business, the board:

•Reluctantly accepted the retirement resignation of longtime high school science teacher Dale Mertz effective at the end of the school year.

•Voted to revise policy on the use of school facilities to allow groups such as scouts, 4-H, and alumni associations to use the buildings without paying rent. Those organizations would still be responsible for staffing costs, such as custodians, when necessary.[[In-content Ad]]