Bottom line is--studies show that my young daughters who would be shipped the furthest with the longest ride would be getting a worse education. A child of young age is not going to be ready to learning after spending such an extended period of time on a bus. To suggest in any way that Footville provides a better education than Newark for my daughters incorrect. My daughters are excelling well about their current grade level...shows the quality of education they have recieved.

But any Moms who feels the need to spend time at school with their child daily are exhibiting exactly how they truely feel about the teaching staff and aide's ability to teach and care for their children.

This is the ONE problem I have with the district too many Mom's hang around and are distracting to other students, questioning or overhearing students about things that are not of their business (such as Mom or Dad say we are going _________ if school closes), these Moms are allowed to volunteer in rooms, in the office, they tend to overhear or see items that are suppose to be private to the family. This is wrong because often this information is shared.

If a Mom is a paid employee of the school system I do believe they are bound by contract not to post on any blogs regarding school related issues? I know this is the case in Janesville.

So to try and salvage my daughters education by not sending them on a very long bus ride.

Now to the math of this so I should leave my children in the district and drive them 80 (4X20) miles a day round trip. Or if I move them to Brodhead and drive them 1/2 that distance 40(4X10) miles a day round trip.

Can't make it any more simple than that!!!!

Numbers I'm told for open enrollement are now over 100 students....I do believe that a large part of the district did unite to do what we said we would!!! What is in the direct and best intersts of the childen in our families. For a large portion of the district it not to accept what we are told we must but to strive for better for our children.

Sounds to me like you're now wanting us to stay. Hmmm shouldn't have told us to take our whiny kids and go, because that's what we're going to do. Heard the latest numbers??? Last I checked it was 100+! Who knows what it will be by the end of Monday.

Bottom line is.....all Newark kids will have the same things at Footville as they did at Newark. In fact they will have more. They will have more choice in teachers, more options to split some kids up and they will have more kids to become friends with. how is that horrible. The arguement that kids will have a longer bus ride is not true. My kids live about 4 minutes from school and would be picked up at 7:40 a.m. 1 Hour and 20 minutes early. I chose to take them myself( which is why I am there everyday and not because I am a helicopter mom as someone suggested) You are fine with driving your kids to Brodhead or Orfordville everyday but not to Footville. It is about 5 minutes from Footville to Orfordville and I am sure of it because I drive it 2 times a day.

I'm confused - maybe I missed something though.
Why is the travel time to Footville being noted by some Newark supporters as such a big issue when the ride time to Orfordville would have been acceptable?
These villages are only a couple miles apart.

Yes, ONE class per grade level. Where does that get us? No where because there are 2 KindergarTens, 3 First Grades, and 2 Second Grades at Footville.

My point on the KindergarTen class at Newark is that there are currently two aids placed in the KindergarTen classes at Footville. We can utilize this resource and split the kids up and place them into classrooms that already have helpers. The classrooms would not be close to 30 students because the current teacher at Newark would still have her job at Footville. I heard it was said at the board meeting that there are no teachers losing their jobs. There is no reason to think class sizes will change because of that statement.

The board is running out of options, honestly closing Newark was the best because there is not enough room there to support Footville. I have no doubts that Footville will be closed in the next few years and that students will be all at Orfordville...but there is not the space for that yet and portable classrooms isn't the answer. It is a stepping stone to getting everyone in at Orfordville, but it will take some time.

The district does not pay to send children to other schools.
While the loss of state funding reduces the amount in budget revenue,
the state revenue is only approximately half of the cost of educating a student.
The other half comes from property taxes
and that amount remains in the district
whether the students attend a district school or not.

This has nothing to do with the teachers. The teachers at Newark are some of the best. Don't talk about a Kindergarden Class you know nothing about I have a daughter in this class. Because of the situation in this class regardless of what school or teacher this class would be in need of an aide.

Are you aware the Newark building has room for K-6 grades....as it was when I went to school when it was grades K-6. This Newark building is in no need of expensive repairs as is the Footville building. Both schools should have been consolidated into Orfordville...if closing needed to happen.

I actually am more worried about a long distance to Footville, splitting my children into 2 different towns, and how many children they are going to pack into a class. The Kindergarden class currently has 18 so potentially the classes could be close to 30 students.

I am not willing to allow my children to be the potential guinea pigs for the district. Nobody has soild answers, a solid plan of action. I think it is amazing how many parents have emailed me privately telling me how they support my comments, but I don't hide with a username on any message board....I will not try and trash any teachers (as they have an very hard job and they are amazing).....I am proud of who I am...and believe in what I am saying so I display proudly my family name....

Removing your kids just because Newark is closing shows a lot of how you feel about the Parkview teachers as a whole. You liked the security of knowing who your children's teachers were going to be at Newark...how many districts out there are so much HUGER than Parkview and parents don't know the teachers? Yes it's a concern, but they don't up and leave because of it. It is almost as if you do not trust the other teachers in this district. Sad, because they are excellent ones who provide just as good of an education, if not better, than the ones at Newark.

It never did make sense to keep Newark open through all of this. The district will also save money by not having to pay traveling teachers mileage to go to the boondock school. What makes more sense? Close a building that is 10 miles away or close a building that is 6 miles away if that? Close a building that has enough space for one class per grade level 4K-4 or close a building that has plenty of space for the 4K-2 teachers as well as the 3-4 going into Orfordville?

If we were consolidated down to Footville in the first place, the district also wouldn't have to pay out money for the additional aid they hired for the kindergarten classroom at Newark. They could have utilized having 3 teachers working together to separate the children, and utilized the aids that Footville already has.

LOL what you don't understand is I am saying we will see with a Vote....see how united the community is....

My question hasn't been answered where is all the funding going to magically come from???

The school district is going to have a potential loss of more money then what was saved from closing a school due to student loss....unless money is coming from us PROPERTY OWNERS in the district and many people decide to bring their children back into the district which in return give the district money from the state.

So put together a plan before tossing out "let build that HS" it not needed just like your repairs at Footville as was claimed. Yes it would be nice but it is not in the near future. Vote and we will see.

How is it I have an unhealth attachment...it not just about a building....I have common sense...I care about my children...my property value (which is going to go down as a result)....my taxes...I am sorry I lived in the real world and have been in the township for which I have Pride for over 20 years

I have enough common sense to send my children to the next closest school...because sending 4,5 &7 year old children on over an hour bus ride is not in their best interests....had they been going to Orfordville it would have made all the difference, but now the district will pay for my 6 girls to another school district. End of story

As I said....this district is uniting. So sad you don't see that. You are just angry that we aren't doing it your way and keeping a building open that you have an unhealthy attachment to.

Good luck...we'll see when it comes to a vote, but time and again HS projects have been voted down...now things are tight, property values have decline, many are in search of jobs. It will not be in the near future...much less this year...it should have been done 10 years ago.

Pautsch17 - The answer to your question is yes. If we stopped fighting amongst ourselves and we all got behind a high school referendum, that would close FES too, we have MORE THAN ENOUGH votes to pass it. We could have a new high school in three years. The board could start the process now and have the referendum on the April 2013 ballot. If not April then November. If you actually listen to what a lot of people are saying, they will pay more taxes for the right project. If you and the other parents threatening to leave would get behind this idea there is no stopping it. That's the truth and it is achievable. Instead of leaving the district how about staying and asking the school board to get this moving ASAP. If you read the full article, all of the board members support a central campus. The goal, unification, is the same.

Do you really think a new HS will happen in the next 10 years?....they needed it when I graduated, it needed updates then....the economy was more stable when that failed by vote....with all the unhappy residents a Vote yes on anything increasing tax cost, like building a brand new building in not going to happen anytime soon....when the district has been literally divided by choicing one over the other...now with 80+ students leaving they have lost way more money in the budget than they saved by closing Newark....80X$7000 vs saving 160,000 the district will be paying out for all those students leaving the district....

I agree. For once I have hope for a new High School. I would ask that the School Board act quickly to make it a reality. I would like to see the current High School/Junior High become the 4k-6 Building, build a new High School that meets the needs of todays students, and donate the OES Building to the Village of Orfordville for relocating the Village Library, Village Offices and Cup Food pantry. memeberships could be sold for the gym and Neighbors helping neighbors could have an office and storage. Win/Win. This district is uniting, just not the way some choose it to. It doesn't help when parents are fighting about a school building. I truly have never heard a kid say if _______ closes I am not going here. I hear My mom or Dad says.I am leaving if they close_________. Sad

To everyone who truly cares about the future of Parkview - especially the Newark parents who are willing to stick this out. The Board’s decision last night was the most responsible decision they could make. Now, what do we do with it? Here’s an idea - let’s quit wasting time arguing back and forth and stop sabotaging ourselves. Let’s start thinking about this situation with our heads instead of just our hearts. Referendum Math 101 - Let’s say we lose 100 students (for the sake of this example), that leaves us with 800 and change – we’ll round it to 800 (total in the district). Let’s assume 50% of the students (400) have two parent families (800 potential yes votes) and 50% of the students (400) have one parent families (400 votes). Let’s assume 10% of the students have a willing adult sibling (80 votes). Let’s also assume 50% of the students have one willing uncle, aunt, grandparent, etc. that will vote yes (400 votes). Finally, let’s say there are 200 concerned community members willing to vote for a referendum (200 votes). That’s 1880 votes. Let’s subtract 200 because some parents have more than one child in the district. That leaves 1680 yes votes for a high school project that includes steps to close FES. The referendum on April 3rd received 1623 no votes. I think most would agree the assumptions are conservative. Now, add back in the 100 students and the potential yes votes that come with them. You could choose to pick apart this theory to argue a point, or you could choose to support the concept and help pass it on to someone else. For those of use who care it's time to prove it and take control of our future. We are Parkview!

If this is truly about the kids then why can't parents realize that what is being done is in the best interest of all the kids. They are going to bring them together and not overspend on an adddition or portable classrooms to do so! I live in Footville and would gladly send my kids on a bus ride which from Footville Elementary to Newark would be about 20-25 Minutes if it meant they would still have classes of 15-19 kids; still have their friends, and teachers as well. I know the high school needs help and if we are going to survive as a disrict that needs to be addressed. Do what Beloit did, get a good plan in place when you know what your needs are. They can't plan unless they make decisions and have solid information to work off of. A referendum CAN pass...They proved it! If we care about the kids as much as we tend to say we do, then we will support our District and Board and help them in the process to do what is right for the survival of Parkview.

this is to the newark parents that are thinking of pulling your kids out of school at Parkview. did you ever go to school in Parkview? there are great teachers in the high school and jr high school. they are not only as you say in Newark... emotion is talking right now. just remember we have a very good school system with a lot of very good teachers. just remember a building does not make a school system, it is the people in it. and we have alot of great people in the whole school.

Just to clarify there is not a single classroom at Newark with only 11 students and not all students will be going to OES our 4K-2nd graders the youngest in the district, will be going to Footville with an hour bus ride one way. We have had over 100 students since the beginning of the school year most of which have school choiced from Beloit and from what I understand will not be staying next year.

Newark mom I never said average. I said a class size of 11. And I have up till now never heard that there were that many children in Newark. I had heard there were 73. Plus with all of the papers that went out last fall to pull students from Orfordville to fill classes in Newark says something to. They wanted (i can't remember the exact numbers) something like 5 students to add to the 9 in Newark to have a full class. When I moved here the boundary line to go to Newark was outside of footville. Last spring it was moved to the train tracks. And because that didn't generate enough children they did something like a lottery to chose who was to go. Where do we move the line to next. Hwy 11? Then County B? Where do we stop. Your children (like I posted before) were going to come to Orfordville in a couple of years and now they are just coming sooner. So what is the difference.
All you will do is move your children, that money will go to Brodhead and not to Orfordville. Then your "beloved" teachers could be the possible ones who get cut, among others, and that will be something you can take credit for.

Open enrollment will cost the district $560,000 this fall just based on the numbers now. Lutzke is flat out lying that 80 students school choicing out is only 20-25 more than normal from the district. By the end of April that number could be 100. Parkview is a failing district because the businesses and the homeowners in the district don't want to pay for a quality school system. Act 10 has only magnified the problem by cutting funding, forcing the board to make extra cuts that will increase class sizes and further drive a wedge in between the school and the community.
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To RWT, don't come on here and quote the Maciver Institute and expect to be taken seriously. That's nothing but a right-wing funded think-tank spreading misinformation and manipulated data. You might as well quote polls from Fox News or ALEC. And, if you looked at a comparitive analysis of wage scales in MN, IL and WI for teachers you would find that WI teachers have accepted lower wages in lieu of steady benefits. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2006 Illinois was #3 in the nation in average teacher salary, Minnesota #16, and Wisconsin #20. So, naturally one would expect that because salaries are higher benefits may be lower. If you're going to do a comparitive analysis between states, include all the data, not just the part that supports your side. Also, you should consider that WI continually ranks near the top in education statistics, such as test scores and graduation rates. Would it not make sense to compensate the teachers more accordingly?
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Lastly, for any of you who think teachers are overpaid or overcompensated, give the job a shot for a week and see how it goes for you. I dare you.

Just to clarify the average class size at Newark is 18 not 11 MisterMr. There are 108 students in the building. And according to work done by the long range planning committee there was a proposal that would work to have Footville close and leave Newark open but the group thought that it would be in the best interest of the district as a whole to consolidate both buildings at the same time to unite the district instead of creating a larger divide.

Ok but your children will come to Orfordville in a couple of years anyways as is so with footville children. So why is it a big deal if it is earlier than planned? Now I am making an assumption here (we all know how that can be with this district) but I would assume they would move your children to OES and Not to Footville. Possibly moving some from Footville to OES also to help balance class sizes. Therefore making the starting steps to make Parkview in Orfordville k-12. Now maybe I am wrong and they mentioned something else at last nights meeting. I don't know. Makes sense to me.

Make more sense to drive 10 minutes to Brodhead then 20 miniutes to Footville...actually a mile and a half away is the cut for Brodhead pick up....so close but so far

My siblings and I were in 3 different schools at Parkview at 1 time. I have been to Footville many times then...I assume nothing about Footville good enough school. I am simply saying the parents would be as upset as the Newark parents...the vote showed that.

...and you make assumptions about me as well. Don't have a answer, so lodge a person attack...well played. LOL

Leia3--my children were very upset to learn of the school closing...doesn't matter to them to change districts now... its just the same as moving schools with in the district and being split up into different school on top of it.

I am teaching my children to make smart and logical choices, if its not going to work, or you don't like it....make a change and be strong.

But I've never been the Mom to spend everyday at school pampering my children...I expect them to learn and start to become independent....nor have I had the luxury of doing so....

It also sounds like you are making many assumptions about Footville School.

I would take my kids to Newark. This is my district. I and my kids will stay. I am teaching my kids that sometimes you don't get what you want. I am not making assumptions. I am speaking facts. My kids were split up at young age...in fact I have one at every school.

Would these be the same thoughts you would have if Footville had closed???

Don't judge me for making a change for the better of my family, my children have many friends currently in the Brodhead school district and many of their Newark friends are leaving as well for Brodhead.

I've spoken with parents in the district....and I think you are making assumtions that are untrue. Other family members children attend Brodhead as well...don't jump to conclusions before you know the whole story.

What would your feelings be if you had kids split up into differents schools at a young age??? Or had an extremely long bus ride??? Had make sure to ride 2 different buses???

I believe your response would be different if the shoe was on the other foot???

pautsch17 your characterization of Brodhead schools is not accurate. You feel you will have a say in the teacher your child has in Brodhead??? Good luck. You don't even have a say in Newark since there is only one teacher per grade. Two years ago there was a big blowup over there about adding to the lower grades...something like 30 kids in a class??? huge cuts to the curriculm. Parkview/Footville is extremely friendly and accomodating of parents. I am there almost everyday and spend a great deal of time there. I feel very welcome. Footville needs no repairs today. It would be lovely to make all the repairs suggested on the school, but NO REPAIRS ARE NEEDED TODAY. I would love to replace all my windows in my home and have a new furnace. It would be lovely...but it is not needed today so it will not happen. Newark cannot fit all the kids. Footville can. People that say that Parkview doesn't offer the classes...have not seen the catalog. Huge choices and many honors classes. Good luck in Brodhead. I am curious if all your kids are onboard with leaving their district and friends. Hope so. P.S. What does it say to a child...We didn't get what we want...so let's throw a fit and leave. Wonder how that will play out in the real world.

Taxes already keep climbing anyhow but I'll feel OK because everyone will then be paying more then too!!! Fix the roof, boiler, etc... watch taxes increase for all that too...Needs to be done or building needs to close due to costly repair list...that money would be better used to improve the Orfordville elm.&HS
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And now you are saying what i said over an hour ago.

You can call me what you want. I didn't grow up in this district. I moved here for my job. I personally think two schools outside of town is dumb. I didn't matter to me what school closed. I didn't want an expansion on a school when it wan't needed and I though portable class rooms where just as much of a bad idea. Consolidate slowly with the littlest cost and change. Focus the expense on better investments for the district and the children. Not get mad and take my ball and go home. Deal with what we have to work with and work on the future. But since you don't want to do that the rest of the district will work on the future while you continue to pay for it through taxes. Whether you take your children out or not it won't matter. The district will move on. You will still pay taxes to the district. I will still pay taxes to the district. Your children will get an education, mine will get an education. It all works out in the end.

Some of the greatest people I have known, grew up with the least and that went for schooling to. I have come to know a lot of people who had nothing didn't graduate from High school even and have been very successful. Just because one offers more never means it will help in the end. Quality not quantity of the education. More focus on the basics and less on the extras. If someone wants it they can get it. There is more than one way to get the extras if you want them.

Really I'm going to argue at open book how this now should make my tax value go down....no school decline in property value....houses sitting empty, not selling decline in property value...
Taxes already keep climbing anyhow but I'll feel OK because everyone will then be paying more then too!!! Fix the roof, boiler, etc... watch taxes increase for all that too...Needs to be done or building needs to close due to costly repair list...that money would be better used to improve the Orfordville elm.&HS

Mister from I gather from you and your history on this subject I would have to call you as I see you. A hypocrite. You sound just like what you accuse Newark families and parents of being too attached to your school too let close.

yes and when your district taxes go up you will know why.

Mister--that is $7000-10,000 per student X 6 that the district will loose....with my children leaving the district just a FYI

I know all about the community. I live in the district and the housing market in this district is one of the worst if not the worst in rock county. I am stuck just like you. But I am going to take my lumps and move on. If I feel my children are not getting what they need I will fight for my children discuss it with the schools and supplement at home if need be as we do already.

And in all reality, i really don't know how Newark wasn't closed until the lead issue was fixed any how. I am really surprised the state wasn't involved in that with as big of an issue they take with lead now. Or maybe they were and it was never mentioned, I don't know. But to find that out scares me. That while the school was doing their best to prevent the Children from being in contact with it, they had to be in one way or another. How else do you wash your hands. Unless they were using bottled water for that too. I don't know that for sure.

So they all have their issues. It is just easier for the district to accommodate shutting down Newark now and then working toward closing footvile later.

Well windows are not a cheap expense either but yet it is in that 500000.00 number that keeps getting thrown around.

But then again there are a lot of expenses that are needed for Newark as well as OES and the Middle school and high school. All of the buildings are in need of costly repairs.

But then again. Who really knows how much longer the Footville boiler will last. But there is always the chance that the heat in the High school will break down and need to be replaced. I am not saying the boiler doesn't need replacing. It does. And it would be the first thing that should if they are going to do any of the repairs. Then the roof, then the other things.

In my opinion they should vote on items one at a time. Now it takes longer but they may get more approval in the long run. Do one Item. get it passed. Move to the next. It doesn't pass. Look for an alternate option or move on to the next. Don't lump everything together in one mass and try to do it. It hasn't worked that way before why keep trying to do it now. Again in my opinion that is why the referendum for the roofs in the schools didn't pass. They tried to lump too much together. Did the roof need to be fixed Yes. Is it needed Yes. Do the lights need to be replaced and upgraded. No. Did we need to upgrade the electric. No not right now.

Mister--I am very aware of my additional cost but also the school will no longer be allowed to get the $$$$ that having my child enrolled given to them from the State. Actually we would love to move to Green County and let someone else pay the taxes on our family farm....but up and down this community homes are for sale for the past 2-3 year because of the current state of the economy. I do not see that school building selling so quickly as you seem to think...

I will not be able to have the security of knowing who my child will have a teacher....they will in return get lost in the group together with no choice allowed by the parent. With that gone what is left for our children...our family....

Brodhead offers a much more united community and backing of the school. They have more options available for classes as well.

Parkview just keeps cutting, classes, schools and a very strong cut down the middle of the community each wanting to save their own school....instead of coming together the district has been torn apart.

Im not talking about the the little things. I'm talking about one big thing the boiler. That by itself is a huge expense over a quarter million dollars.

@archer, Not all of that cost is immediate. That has been stated several times at many board meetings. That number has been used as a wedge issue. The windows are leaky and could use a replacement. Would it be nice, Yes. Is it completely necessary no.

So How is a bus that will now not stop at Newark and come straight to Orfordville, which it has to do anyways, and added cost?

And also as has been said, if they are keeping the teachers then what is changing. Just the environment. So the 'wonderful' environment that the teachers bring can still be there it will just be in a different room.

Now maybe they can do something with the High school and then they can accommodate all of the children and close Footville next.

Also, just because you move your child doesn't move your tax and in turn will increase your costs. You will still be paying taxes to the Parkview district. Just now you will be paying your fees to another school, and you will now also incur your own fuel cost on top of that.

While it sucks to loose your 'home' school, there is room to accommodate everyone. Class sizes will not increase in comparison to what they are now in Orfordville and Footville, as there are class rooms now that are not used. Will they have class sizes of 11, No. But you won't find class sizes of that in other surrounding districts either. But you can still find their friends if you continue in Parkview.

Now as far as the cost of operating Newark as an empty building....
(This is all hearsay and I have no facts to back this up so correct me if I am wrong)
It has been rumored that there are two different entities interested in that Building. Newark Township, and the Mennonites. I don't see what is wrong with selling it to either one. Then that cost is gone.
Now again this is what I have heard so who knows, but, I have heard that the Newark residents do not want 'those people'(Mennonites) to be there. And yes that is how I heard it. And if that is how it is then fine, Sell it or rent it to the township. Cost gone. JMHO

So keeping a school open with 400000 dollar repair bill coming makes sense to you? Also where is the rest money coming from? Staff cuts? Teacher cuts? Athletics? Nobody has answered that question yet. From what I have heard its athletics. Good luck keeping families in the dictrict then.

It is about what the children need....follow the teachers and staff one day at Newark and just watch how wonderful the enviroment is for the Children...this is why time and again the school has been fought for.

To believe that stuffing the children into oversized classes and riding a bus for an extended period of time will be for the best because it saves $$$$ I believe the children are not at all being thought about by the board.

What effect will not having a rural school due to the township? The elementary school was one of the very first things we looked at when we moved out there, and one of the primary consideratons for spending the money to purchase a house.
Seems like the school board just dropped all the property values in Newark Township which will in turn cost even more due to the decrease in tax revenue to the school district.

Really?! Shipping my children to Footville is not the answer. Cost of gas and buses doesn't cut $$$$ I don't see any saving $$$$ with what the board has changed...in fact we are spending more....we aren't cutting teachers, we still need to maintain an empty building cost $$$$ so exactly where are the HUGE expense savings....but in the newark area our assesement values went up!??? Last year and this year again....nothing logical has taken place we failed to hear a very good plan by a former graduate to save money and keep all 3 schools open....

This all seems to be more about what the parents want
than what the children need.

to pautsch 17, but closing footville is not the answer all the kids would not fit in orfordville and newark.
so it was the really only choice the board had

The referendum would have been an increase of over 5% in property taxes, 7% of school taxes. If Act 10 is used as designed in the Parkview district, they could put more tax dollars to work improving education rather than providing more benefits for state employees already getting benefits 38% better than MN teachers & 25% better than IL. Read more at maciverinstitute.com/2012/04/act-10-one-year-later/

we are thinking of the kids. the voters turned down the referendum. before that they turned down the funding referendum. we can not continue to keep all of these building open and continue to pay the bills.

My 6 children will now be leaving the Parkview Distric for open enrollment thanks to the closing of our family school in Newark. Very sad day for many families in the area. My girls would have been 4th generation Grads out of Parkview. Does not make any sense to not close both schools if closing had to be done the Footville school is in need of many repairs and is the oldest school so I don't believe Newark is the logical choice!

I would have preferred to keep all three schools open,
but if one has to close,
Newark is the logical choice.
It was the logical choice two years ago
and it is the logical choice today.

JohnDeere....you hit right on the nose! A pretty sad day for our district! Will SOMEONE PLEASE think of the children and how this all effects them!?!

Tough road ahead for Parkview District. Declining enrollment, several families opting out for other districts, and a current budget problem. The divide in the communities will make it difficult to pass any future referendums as well.