July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Too many questions to be answered (11/05/07)
Editorial
Two thoughts come to mind in the wake of the Jay School Board's decision to move forward with plans for a multipurpose facility/auxiliary gymnasium.
First, both sides in this particular argument fail to understand the depth of feeling on the other side.
Proponents of an auxiliary gym made an eloquent case last week for its need. They pointed out the danger of having young athletes drive from Jay County High School to the gym at Pennville Elementary School on wintry roads. One dreadful, bloody accident would be enough to have this county regretting forever that it didn't have an auxiliary practice facility at the high school.
At earlier board meetings, opponents were equally eloquent in their message: The project skews priorities and shortchanges legitimate maintenance at existing buildings; and by pursuing it just months after a remonstrance, the board appears to be thumbing its nose at taxpayers.
What's interesting is that both sides may be right simultaneously. And they both run the risk of underestimating how seriously the other side feels.
That would be a mistake.
Both sides are passionate in their own way. Those in favor of building a new facility are profoundly serious in their concerns about the burden on families and young athletes and the very real risks to life and limb. Those opposed are just as profoundly serious about their concerns over property tax burdens and stewardship of existing buildings.
In a muddled way, school board member Larry Paxson may have expressed the center of public opinion the other night. He agrees with the need for an auxiliary gym, but thinks now is not the time.
But, as board member Greg Wellman nicely nailed him, it never seems to be the time.
The second thought that occurs in the wake of last week's vote is how little real discussion some aspects of the project have received, even though board members have been kicking the idea around for years.
For instance, Dunkirk resident John Ireland's perfectly reasonable question, "What about the armory?" has never been publicly discussed by the board.
Could it be a viable auxiliary gym? Maybe. Maybe not.
But, at least in public sessions, the school board hasn't weighed the issue.
The second absent topic for discussion is how much any new facilities are going to cost to heat and maintain.
The board has, almost casually, floated into position to accept the Portland armory without publicly debating the costs of heating the building. By the same token, to our knowledge, there's been no public airing of what the ongoing costs of heating an auxiliary gym will be and what impact it will have on the school corporation's budget.
So, what's the upshot of all these questions?
The discussion should not be over.
Despite board comments last week that this was essentially an "up or down" vote on building an auxiliary gym and despite the fact that an architect has been hired to design the building, there is still way too much yet to talk about.
And the board does itself no favors at all when it steps on the gas. - J.R.
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First, both sides in this particular argument fail to understand the depth of feeling on the other side.
Proponents of an auxiliary gym made an eloquent case last week for its need. They pointed out the danger of having young athletes drive from Jay County High School to the gym at Pennville Elementary School on wintry roads. One dreadful, bloody accident would be enough to have this county regretting forever that it didn't have an auxiliary practice facility at the high school.
At earlier board meetings, opponents were equally eloquent in their message: The project skews priorities and shortchanges legitimate maintenance at existing buildings; and by pursuing it just months after a remonstrance, the board appears to be thumbing its nose at taxpayers.
What's interesting is that both sides may be right simultaneously. And they both run the risk of underestimating how seriously the other side feels.
That would be a mistake.
Both sides are passionate in their own way. Those in favor of building a new facility are profoundly serious in their concerns about the burden on families and young athletes and the very real risks to life and limb. Those opposed are just as profoundly serious about their concerns over property tax burdens and stewardship of existing buildings.
In a muddled way, school board member Larry Paxson may have expressed the center of public opinion the other night. He agrees with the need for an auxiliary gym, but thinks now is not the time.
But, as board member Greg Wellman nicely nailed him, it never seems to be the time.
The second thought that occurs in the wake of last week's vote is how little real discussion some aspects of the project have received, even though board members have been kicking the idea around for years.
For instance, Dunkirk resident John Ireland's perfectly reasonable question, "What about the armory?" has never been publicly discussed by the board.
Could it be a viable auxiliary gym? Maybe. Maybe not.
But, at least in public sessions, the school board hasn't weighed the issue.
The second absent topic for discussion is how much any new facilities are going to cost to heat and maintain.
The board has, almost casually, floated into position to accept the Portland armory without publicly debating the costs of heating the building. By the same token, to our knowledge, there's been no public airing of what the ongoing costs of heating an auxiliary gym will be and what impact it will have on the school corporation's budget.
So, what's the upshot of all these questions?
The discussion should not be over.
Despite board comments last week that this was essentially an "up or down" vote on building an auxiliary gym and despite the fact that an architect has been hired to design the building, there is still way too much yet to talk about.
And the board does itself no favors at all when it steps on the gas. - J.R.
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