Parkview price tag rises
ORFORDVILLE — A likely increase in the cost to consolidate Parkview School District's elementary schools through a referendum being rushed onto April's ballot gave board members pause Monday.
The board based its decision last month to close Newark and Footville elementary schools and seek a referendum to build classrooms at Orfordville Elementary on a preliminary estimate of $3.8 million from building contractor Ringland-Johnson.
Updated estimates for the project are coming in at $4.8 million to $6.2 million, and two contractors will make final bid presentations at a special board meeting Jan. 11.
The board voted 4-3 on Monday to amend last month's motion to a new dollar amount after next month's meeting.
The original $3.8 million estimate did not include items such as a parking lot and only included a one-station gym as opposed to the three-station gym the board is seeking.
Board member Craig Jones said he didn't know if he could support building a new gym, which would be used for high school sports, at that cost at the elementary school.
"I'd rather be another year out and have it right than rush into this thing," he said to some applause from the audience.
But the district would still be stuck with budget issues—operating at excess capacity in the elementary grades—in addition to a projected deficit next year of $500,000, Superintendent Steve Lutzke said.
"I know the longer we sit and don't take any action, we're just spending money that we don't need to spend with three schools," he said.
Jones said his count of classrooms in the proposed project left him wondering if all the proposed construction is needed if enrollment declines more than expected.
"If we overbuild this elementary building, we'd look pretty ridiculous," he said.
Other board members expressed concerns or support for the plan:
-- Elizabeth Brockwell: "I don't want to go to taxpayers and ask them for money for a building that's eventually going to sit vacant. (It's a) waste of money if we can't utilize what we've built."
-- Eric Stelter: "We made a decision, we need to move forward. We can't waiver. We go to referendum, the community will tell us what it is we need to do. ... It's the best option we have."
-- Ed Bell: "What I've heard from talking to people in both buildings, all three buildings, there's more support for this than anything we've had in the past. I'd hate to lose this now. ... We didn't have any of that kind of support for other plans."
-- Clay Hammes: "I'll add that the motion that was passed previously put us in a position where we have to spend money that we don't need to spend in the first place. Now that dollar amount has gone up. I just don't see that as a positive either."
-- Troy Knudson: The district could be more efficient because of the duplicate staff it now has among the elementary schools. If the referendum fails, the board said it would add portable classrooms to Orfordville.
One of the nice things about portable classrooms, he said, is they can be removed if enrollment goes down, a point many in the room questioned the reality of happening.
-- On the issue of portable classrooms, board member Terry Gerber said: "I don't want that. ...If that's the decision of the board, to go forward with this referendum, I'll talk up the referendum all I can to pass this thing, because I don't want our kids, the legacy of this board right now, saying we stuck our kids in relocateable classrooms."
On Jan. 11, the board plans to hear bid presentations from building contractors J.P. Cullen & Sons and Ringland-Johnson and vote on selecting a firm for the project.
HOW THEY VOTED
The board on Monday approved a motion to amend last month's approved motion to a new dollar amount to be set after the board hears bid presentations from J.P. Cullen & Sons and Ringland-Johnson on Jan. 11.
The original motion called for closing Newark and Footville schools by asking voters in a referendum for about $3.8 million to make permanent additions to Orfordville Elementary, and if the referendum fails, build eight portable classrooms at Orfordville:
Voting 'Yes' were Ed Bell, Elizabeth Brockwell, Troy Knudson and Eric Stelter; Voting 'No' were Craig Jones, Terry Gerber and Clay Hammes. The motion passed, 4-3.
Dec 25, 2011 at 3:19 p.m.
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steelmillworker-That would be a question to ask the PTO I am not sure why they are separate. I do know that they work together on things throughout the year like SCRIP. My family and I have supported activities presented by both groups.
Dec 25, 2011 at 9:53 a.m.
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When you have 40% less kids in your class, you're obviously going to get more educational attention and therefore an increased opportunity for learning..Consolidation is the only option for a unified district.
Dec 24, 2011 at 10:32 a.m.
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Steelmill - you're quite the tough talker behind your anonymous posts! I went to Parkview Schools from kindergarten on, so just because I live 20 min away doesn't mean I don't have a vested interest. Your comment actually reinforced my point that many of the people shouting from the rooftops to close Newark do it mostly because of their jelousy toward people that live in Newark and not because of education or budgetary reasons. Bravo to you for attacking me instead of the topic! You are a hater.
Dec 23, 2011 at 5:41 p.m.
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zknutson im glad you are the brightest bulb then and make piles of money but yet live in the area!!!!!You can have a high GPA but no common sense and that gets you NO WHERE!!!!
Dec 23, 2011 at 5:38 p.m.
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Newark mom if we are the Parkview school distirct, answer me this question. Why does newark there own PTO then, and Footville and Orfordville are combined in there PTO???????
Dec 23, 2011 at 1:33 p.m.
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labworker-I think that if there is a fire in the winter the Newark kids will do the same thing that the Orfordville and Footville kids will do, go outside! I am not overly concerned by something happening "way out in the country" we are serviced by the same volunteer fire department as Orfordville and have 3 of the EMS personnel living in Newark township. We have had to call the EMS to come to the school this year and the response time was around 15 minutes.
I would also like to know why we are considered "whiners, and cry babies" when we speak out about saving our school and when people from the other schools speak out they are not? We are all Parkview School District and I for one would like us to all come together and act like adults and do what is best for our kids!
Dec 23, 2011 at 11:38 a.m.
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stayingreal-yes I am a newark parent obviously, I also live within 5 minutes of the Newark School, and my kids ride the bus for an hour and have never had a problem with that and never complained. My concern is how much more time will be added on by driving these kids to Footville. I would like to see all the kids in one location so that we can stop all of this animosity. Lets think about our kids please! I would also like to know where all this hate for our community came from. We certainly we helpful to you Footville families when they wanted to close your school several years ago when parts of it were condemned. I believe many of our Newark families came to support all of you in keeping your school open then, why are we not getting the same support from you? Maybe if we wouldn't have helped you out at that time we wouldn't be having this discussion right now. I suppose this is all our fault.
Dec 23, 2011 at 11:19 a.m.
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All of you Newark haters are just jealous because your children have or had larger class sizes elsewhere. Many of the brightest Parkview students come from Newark Elementary. Over half of the Top 10 GPA in my graduating class at Parkview attended Newark. I would venture to guess the statistics are similar in other years as well. I credit much of my career success to Newark Elementary and I'm sad to see it closed. But from a budget and unified school district standpoint, I can respect the decision to close it, although I don't know all the facts. Give credit to Craig Jones for actually wanting to take more time to think about a major decision in Parkview’s future. I would think everyone would want to do the same.
Dec 22, 2011 at 10:51 p.m.
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when we all came to this school district, we knew that at some time ours kids would be riding the bus. That is part of the deal with living where we do. So, for the Newark parents to say that they dont want their kids having along bus ride is not right!!! Footville kids live 3 minutes from the school and and have to ride the bus for over an hour to travel what you could in three minutes on a car. But I have never once complained about this because I knew it would be that way when I signed up!!!! For much much less money, about $500,000 the Footville school could be fixed and all the kids could go to both footville and Orfordville. This would allow Newark to be closed!!! Case closed all the kids would be in school together and not cramped in trailers!!! This is MUCH less then what the referendums are wanting so I have no idea why it takes the school district spending millions to solve this problem??? This has been going on for years and years and no end is in sight. Some Footville parents have taken out papers for school board so things can get changed. Stop spending money on Newark NOW!!!!
Dec 22, 2011 at 10:24 p.m.
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"Bricks and mortor don't make the education"; however, teachers and curriculum do. Let's spend money we don't need to spend and see what curriculum gets cut or which teacher(s) gets laid off. An awesome statement indeed.
Dec 22, 2011 at 10:23 p.m.
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newark mom....i live within 5 minutes from footville and my child rides the bus for over 1 hour every morning already just to get back to footville elementary! my child has been doing so since he was in 4k! he has to get on the bus at 645....and he loves it! i have told him from day 1 i would drive him if he wants and he insists on riding the bus. be real. i agree with steelmillworker!
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:51 p.m.
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AMEN steelmillwoker. That is the only way that they will ever be happy. I have never heard a bunch of crying parents like that. Hey Newarkmom your ok with your 4 year old being that far out in the counrty. What if something were to happen at the school. Where do they go if there is a fire in the winter? Do you know how long it takes the fire and ems to get out there. But thats ok. Just dont put my kid that I feed with a golden spoon on a bus. Wake up newark close the doors or make it Newark school district and everyone in newark can fund it and leave parkview out of it.
Dec 22, 2011 at 4:07 p.m.
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I'm sick and tired of hearing these newark parents! Just build your own school and leave Parkview. Alot less headaches for the people that do not need them!!!!!!! But it is ok for a child that lives 2 blocks from a school to take a bus to newark??? Wake up and smell the coffee people!!!
Dec 22, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.
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I would suggest that you talk to the head of the maintenance department.
You must have missed his comments at the meetings.
Dec 22, 2011 at 3:26 p.m.
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garyprimer-If those things do not need to be done I would like to know why they were listed as "top priority" on the maintenance referedum that was on the ballot last year. I understand that all buildings need maintenance another great reason to consolidate and have one building.
Thanks vatoloco!
Dec 22, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
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"Like I stated earlier bricks and mortar don't make the education!"
Awesome statement Newark mom.
Dec 22, 2011 at 10:19 a.m.
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Footville does not need all of those things.
That is part of what is so frustrating about this.
It will probably need some of those things in the next five years.
No one really knows for sure.
This is just someone's guess.
All buildings need maintenance.
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:53 a.m.
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One question, if they leave Footville open instead of consolidating the schools would you want your 4 year old child riding the bus from the stateline all the way to Footville??? How about the fact that Footville needs a new boiler, roof, and windows? While Newark does not. That would make the fiscally responsible decision to be leave Newark open until enrollment allows. We could put the younger grades in Orfordville and move the 5th & 6th grades to Newark that way none of the younger kids are on the bus for so long.
Dec 21, 2011 at 7:53 p.m.
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This is so simple it’s aggravating. Newark should be closed – there is no immediate cost in doing so and there is enough room in Orfordville and Footville for all of the children without over-crowding in either building – the same can’t be said if you closed Footville alone. A few years later, when enrollment allows, Footville should be closed as well. During that time a well thought out, detailed, accurate, and fiscally appropriate referendum can be developed for a high school project whether it is renovation or new construction. Time can be taken to make sure the numbers are accurate, the public can be properly educated, and the Parkview district will be able to show the voting public they were fiscally responsible and finally made the tough decision most people are waiting for them to make; and the tax payers help is now truly needed. This can happen. Three Newark board members are up for reelection. Now is the time to make a change, it’s not too late. People from Orfordville and Footville have got to get out and vote in April – it’s that simple. The voters from Newark will show up at the polls, they always do. Make sure you know who you are voting for and what they stand for. The referendum is absolutely unnecessary – it is a total waste of money. The District does not need to build a new elementary school. Temporary classrooms will cost approximately one million dollars, again unnecessary and a total waste of money. Also, there are board members who are trying to do the right thing, make sure you know who they are. Don’t give up.
Dec 21, 2011 at 6:32 p.m.
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If they could consolidate without building, this plan would make sense,
but it makes no sense to close two perfectly good buildings
and spend millions on a new one in these uncertain economic times.
Dec 21, 2011 at 11:13 a.m.
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I had lots of school pride and the High School I graduated from had 12 portable classrooms. I was also on the honor roll, went to college and have a really good job! Like I stated earlier bricks and mortar don't make the education!
Dec 21, 2011 at 10:53 a.m.
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my thoughts exactly garyprimer!! show your school pride from a trailer...no thanks.
Dec 21, 2011 at 10:27 a.m.
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The portable classrooms are pure crap.
The one that they showed sure looked like a trailer to me
with a wooden cattle ramp in the front.
Dec 21, 2011 at 9:32 a.m.
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It seems to me after attending several meetings that the board is doing what they feel is best for the Parkview School District. There is money that will be saved by not haveing staff being paid to go to three different buildings. If we have all the kids in one central location all teachers in the district will be in one building and can collaberate together give our kids a great education. I would also like to point out that the "portable classrooms" have been misrepresented. These classrooms will not be "trailers" sitting out behind the school. It is one modular building that will have 8 classrooms inside with a hallway down the middle. I would like to see the referendum pass and bring everyone together so that maybe we can get past all of this animosity and truly be Parkview School District. If the referendum should fail I have no problem continuing to send my children to school in the modular classrooms. It is not bricks and motar that make an education, is the wonderful staff we have that will do it.
Dec 20, 2011 at 8:51 p.m.
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as a parent in the parkview school district i think it is time to start looking into a new school district! why can we not get it together! let's just close the school district, divide between janesville, beloit, evansville and brodhead~ then we won't need ridiculous school board members that cannot make the RIGHT decision for the district! CLOSE NEWARK! this is really getting old!!! my child WILL NOT be attending this school district in a portable class room. no questions asked, we WILL move on! we are the laughing stock of rock county. nobody is going to want to join our school district....and we are already complaining about declining enrollment! ha
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