Parkview board votes to close two schools
ORFORDVILLE — The Parkview School Board on Monday voted 4-3 to seek a $3.8 million referendum to build a permanent addition to Orfordville Elementary and close Newark and Footville elementary schools.
According to the board's motion, if the referendum fails, eight portable classrooms would be built at Orfordville instead.
Board President Troy Knudson cast the tie-breaking vote after more than two hours of discussion among residents, administrators and the board. He said the plan would be good for the community because it will get rid of division that's gone on since he was a kid.
Board members hope to get the referendum on the April ballot, but Superintendent Steve Lutzke said it would be unlikely to get detailed sketches and construction estimates that quickly. That would likely move the referendum to November, meaning the district would remain at excess capacity by keeping all three elementary schools open next year.
If an April referendum were to pass, Knudson said the board could again discuss closing a school next year since the district would be committed to closing both Footville and Newark in the future. If an April referendum failed, the district would have to order the portable classrooms immediately to have them ready for fall, administrators said.
The board's decision came after hearing concerns from administrators about teaching conditions, space issues and the budget problems the district would face if all three schools remain open.
The district has an estimated $500,000 deficit next year.
"If we remain status quo and put the buildings rather than the curriculum and staff as a priority, there's going to be some way student academic performance is going to suffer," said Karen Strandt-Conroy, who serves as principal at Orfordville Elementary and as both director of special education/pupil services and curriculum coordinator for the district.
"We're not focusing on curriculum, and that really concerns me … The message I'm getting tonight is that a building is more important," she said to applause from the audience.
Earlier in the meeting, a motion failed to close Newark next year and send those students to Footville and Orfordville. Board members Clay Hammes and Terry Gerber tried to persuade others that the decision would have the least impact on students, but the other five board members—who all live in Newark Township—voted against the motion.
Hammes also suggested amending the motion to close Footville when enrollment allowed in three to four years, but the plan didn't gain traction among other board members.
Closing Footville would save about $191,000 while closing Newark would save $161,000, according to estimates. However, moving the 103 Newark students to Orfordville would impact fewer families because they would all fit comfortably into Orfordville and Footville, administrators said.
Closing Footville would move its 168 students but also would force the sixth grade from Orfordville to move to the junior/senior high to make enough room.
More than 60 people attended Monday's meeting, and most of the less than 10 residents who spoke urged the board to do something it has discussed for decades: close Newark.
John McGuire of Footville said it was "absurd" that people believe in order to close Newark, Footville must be closed, too.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard educated people have to say in my life," he said. "It's not right."
Residents also cited representation on the board, saying it wasn't fair that five of the seven members live in Newark. Board members Craig Jones, Ed Bell and Eric Stelter, all of Newark, are up for re-election in April.
HOW THEY VOTED
Motion to close Newark next year and send those students to Footville and Orfordville:
Yes: Terry Gerber and Clay Hammes
No: Ed Bell, Elizabeth Brockwell, Craig Jones, Troy Knudson and Eric Stelter
Motion failed, 5-2
Motion to close Newark and Footville by asking voters in a referendum as soon as possible for about $3.8 million to make permanent additions to Orfordville Elementary, and if the referendum fails, build eight portable classrooms at Orfordville:
Yes: Bell, Jones, Stelter and Knudson
No: Brockwell, Gerber and Hammes
Motion passed, 4-3
The $3,890,621 estimate for permanent additions to Orfordville Elementary comes from Ringland-Johnson of Cherry Valley, Ill. The proposal includes adding 29,056 square feet, including 14 classrooms—which administrators said could be reduced—and a new three-station gym that would be the site of high school sports games. The cost of eight portable classrooms would be $916,500, Knudson said.
Dec 2, 2011 at 2:23 p.m.
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Acai, Who said this had anything to do with walker. I see a post where one is saying to tell the recall people something and i see a response to that post. Other than that no one blamed this on walker. This is a problem that has been going on for over 20 years. No government entity has anything to do with this but the school board and the residents of the district.
Dec 1, 2011 at 10:33 a.m.
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It's all because of Gov. Walker?? You people are disillusioned. Do some homework! It's always so easy to blame someone else rather look at ourselves and what we could've done before the walls started coming down. Gov. Walker is one of the few with the courage to do what's right regardless of people's opinions. Opinions don't get things done, doing what's right DOES!
Dec 1, 2011 at 10:11 a.m.
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Sewmuchtodo
What decision was made that we can support? They decided against closing one school, then decided to post a referendum, which with the way the history has gone, has a very low chance of passing. So if the ref. doesn't pass then we will have trailers. That is not something I want to support, and is hardly something to breath a sigh of relief about. I don't see how they fixed anything and if the story is how it went then Lutzke had nothing to do with the vote and in fact made it sound as if they can not do it as fast as the board had hoped. Same ol' same ol'
Nov 30, 2011 at 3:44 p.m.
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Vatoloco: It is astonishing how closely the parallel lies. The Walker Recall effort is for a different forum, nonetheless.
Nov 30, 2011 at 3:35 p.m.
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Sewmuchtodo
"Now, we must put all of this discussion aside and support the decision, and we must provide the best learning environment for students and staff that we are able."
Can you tell the recall Walker folks this?
Nov 30, 2011 at 3 p.m.
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The School Board Members that are from Newark Township voted following their constituancy's position on this issue. That is the way that local government should work. With regard to this very vote, local government worked as it should. I am a Newark Township resident, but do not hold the same views on this issue that the Newark Board Members historically have held. With that said, and supporting the solution presented by Mr. Lutzke in closing only the Newark school, a decision has been made at last and I am relieved. The deal is done. Now, we must put all of this discussion aside and support the decision, and we must provide the best learning environment for students and staff that we are able. With regard to the "lopsided" School Board as some see it - elections are held quite regularly, and with much advance notice for candidates to file their candicacy documents. Persons from throughout the Parkview District can run for a vacant position. Perhaps this next election will see more interest from residents from municipalities other than Newark Township.
Nov 30, 2011 at 2:55 p.m.
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TO WINER: i voted to close newark...i have done that a couple of times now..
Nov 30, 2011 at 2:50 p.m.
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You know what a tornado and hillbilly has in common? Sooner or later they both end up in a trailer park. Way to go Parkview School Board...
Nov 30, 2011 at 2:32 p.m.
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I love how they say we want to do Plan A but Lutzke says they will not have time because they need to plan things. Um.... where did the numbers - costs, sizes and number of rooms - come from?
So which way is it. You have a plan that costs x, or you don't have a plan yet and it will end up at a cost of x+(who knows)? But if Plan A doesn't pass we will do Plan B regardless to create a trailer park addition.
This village is imploding and is a bit scary. The school board can't decide what they are going to do and so it slips. There is issues with the water treatment plant, sewer and water lines and the village is unsure what to do about it and so it slips. Without those two things what will be left?
They are already taxing people out of the village so what happens next?
Nov 30, 2011 at 1:29 p.m.
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just1of: if you dont mind my asking...based on which of the facts presented do you think you made a good decision? I mean, as a member of the Parkview School Board (NOT the "Newark School Board") how was your vote cast in the best interest of everyone involved? You and your 4 cohorts are a laughing stock to other school districts. In addition, you know darn well the people in the Orfordville-Footville- Newark area are unlikely to pass such a referendum...the students if the Parkview School District, whose best interests you profess to be working toward, are now the proud owners of trailer park classrooms. Good Job!
Nov 30, 2011 at 1 p.m.
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this was a very hard vote. i voted the way that i felt was the right way. now i will work with the majority to try make things better for all.
Nov 30, 2011 at 12:45 p.m.
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Boy it just goes to show that the 5 clowns from newark only care about themselves and that is pretty bad. I sure hope the sheriff doesnt let you make any budget call Mr. President. And Ms Brockwell you might want to start signing and new tune. Do kids really need music class. I know I didnt. How would you feel if Janesville said any music teacher that doesnt live in Janesville will be out a job.
Nov 30, 2011 at 11:20 a.m.
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If they would have done this back in the 90's the first time around when they rebuilt Footville this issue would have ended a long time ago.Its is about time this happened.If people are so unhappy they can do school of chioce and send thier kids to Parker and Turner and Brodhead.See how long before the kid want to come back. I have seen that play out several times. Good job school board!
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:49 a.m.
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I find it very hard to believe that School Board Members Bell, Brockwell, Jones, Knudson and Stelter are at all educated. Instead they have shown only that they are selfish, short sighted and ignorant...I would be livid if I lived in the Parkview School District...these people are incompetent and cannot be trusted to make financial decisions for the whole community without personal bias. What a mess.
Nov 30, 2011 at 10:18 a.m.
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The referendum had no chance to begin with and even less now that the board has alienated two-thirds of the district.
The result is that they voted to close two perfectly good buildings and spend a million dollars on a trailer park.
The two buildings may need maintenance, but it is far less than a million dollars and would be spread over a number of years.
All buildings need maintenance.
Even new buildings.
Even trailer parks.
Nov 29, 2011 at 9:18 p.m.
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Time for a recall
Nov 29, 2011 at 4:54 p.m.
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It's hard to make the tough decisions, but that's what elected officials are supposed to do. When your own personal agenda gets in the way of doing what is fiscally responsible you are no longer doing a public service. The vote against closing Newark will haunt this district for many years to come--and it will be the same people complaining when "their" programs are cut.
Nov 29, 2011 at 4:34 p.m.
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Looks like decisions of the Parkview board are based on personal bias and not what is the best solution for the school district as a whole. These members that voted against closing Newark could hardly be considered honorable people.
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