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Milton high school debate has detractors

MILTON — Former Milton School Board member David Boie doesn’t think the school board did enough homework before settling Aug. 20 on what would be the most expensive project in Milton history—a new high school.

A new high school could cost about $60 million. If the district adds a pool, large field house or auditorium, the price could climb to $80 million.

The basic cost for a new middle school would be about $28 million.

“I am alarmed at the lack of homework, lack of focus and good meaty discussion, and the lack of good, sound business thought and practice from this board,” Boie said.

He believes the board based its decision on personal preferences.

Sue Johnson, board president, said the board has been gathering, reviewing and discussing information about building a new school for the past 12 years.

The majority of district residents polled during informational meetings favored building a new high school, Johnson said.

“We have talked to many community groups and listened to that feedback as well,” Johnson said. “I would disagree with David’s assessment that the board hasn’t done its homework. I do agree, however, that there is much more work to be done.”

The decision to build a high school wasn’t a vote to go to a referendum, Johnson said.

“It was a vote to prepare ourselves to do the homework that is necessary for a project this size,” Johnson said.

“When I started looking at building a new middle or high school, I believed a middle school was a more viable option,” Johnson said. “ Then I gathered more information and did my homework. After talking to people, my mind was changed.”

The board approved appointing a team to design a new high school for ninth through 12th grades for the 24-acre site west of the existing school.

Mike Pierce was the only board member who didn’t support building a high school.

Mostly, he isn’t comfortable with the cost.

Johnson said the appointment of a design team will take the plans for a new high school another step forward.

“Much of the detail of a new school will be completed as we work on the design of a new facility,” Johnson said.

The board has used similar procedures in the past, such as appointing a committee to design the last addition at the high school, Johnson said.

Boie questions whether the board has an accurate projection of growth within the district.

During a workshop meeting, Boie said, one board member predicted growth of 20 percent, and no one questioned the basis of that projection.

When Boie asked if the time frame for that growth was one, five or 25 years, none of the board members seemed to know, Boie said.

He believes the 20 percent growth figure had no basis.

“I realize that no one has a crystal ball, but in the business world, you don’t make $60 or $80 million decisions based on numbers you pluck out of thin air,” Boie said.

The rate of growth is critical information that all board members should know because it defines the urgency of need for a new building, Boie said.

“How can you choose a building that best meets the needs before you have clearly defined the need, especially in the funding climate of schools today?” Boie asked.

Johnson said the board annually reviews growth projections from the district’s business manager.

“We carefully watch growth and understand open enrollment is part of that equitation as well,” Johnson said.

Boie said he is confident the board wants the best for the community, but hasn’t proved that a new high school is the best choice.

It would be nice to have a new high school as a community centerpiece, Boie said.

“But education should be the priority,” Boie said. “I’m not trying to be offensive or attack people. I’m really interested in what’s best for the community. And I don’t think they (the board) have made the effort to find that answer.”

Johnson said the board has done all it can do up to this point.

“And each board member processes from a different perspective, which makes for better decisions and healthy debates,” Johnson said.