LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Patrons of the Odebolt-Arthur School District—some observations to consider: Since our school board and administration some time ago refused to seriously consider any other option (such as visiting with WLVA or Schaller- Crestland) and focused solely on combining with BC-IG, it may be time to rethink the whole issue of boundaries.
With declining enrollments, a great deal of lip service is being paid to “what is best for the students.” Perhaps what is “best for the students” may be to reconfigure the Odebolt-Arthur Community School District.
As the closing of the school in Odebolt (the school in Battle Creek is already scheduled to be closed) is inevitable and planned for a few years hence, now may be the ideal time to do the reconfiguration.
There are very few students who live east of Odebolt and many of those who do have opened enrolled to WLVA. The miles traveled for these students and parents are much less going east than west. There is no reason to keep this area in the district reorganization other than the proposed O-A/BC-IG district wanting to keep the school property tax money generated from the area. Why not put this area and tax dollars in the district where the students are attending school?
Now is the time for those on the edge of the district who may not wish to stay in the proposed O-A/BC-IG reorganized district to opt out of this proposed merger. The form for this is called “Affidavit of Objection To Reorganization Request for Boundary Line Change.” It can be downloaded from the Department of Education website or requested from the Prairie Lakes AEA (I also have the forms for those interested). The Affidavit has to be submitted to the AEA no later than noon June 20, 201l.
It appears by the wording of the reorganization petition that O-A patrons will have to help pay for the $600,000 plus BC-IG debt (as listed in the BC-IG audit report for 2010) if there is a reorganization. We will also be required to help fund the proposed new additions to the school in Ida Grove with the schools in Battle Creek and Odebolt closing. It also appears that the seven-man school board will be heavily weighted to BC-IG with the potential of O-A interests being outvoted in all issues.
It seems that “what is best for the students” has not come about as promised from the levy election earlier this year. There was talk of having to lay off teachers, etc., if this levy was not passed. What happened, now that it has passed, is more money has been freed up for spending on items that have nothing to do with education of students and are of questionable need.
The work on the new heating system in Odebolt has been halted (is this another indication that the building will be closed fairly soon?) A new pickup with accessories (blade and lift gate) was purchased by O-A and which appears to spend most of the time in Ida Grove.
Another item purchased by O-A is the new front wheel assist John Deere tractor with loader and large pull-behind mower. Why was a loader needed on the tractor if we already have blade on the pickup for snow issues? It is very doubtful that this very large mower can be used to trim around the trees.
Why were the purchases of brand new items of almost $90,000 made at this time? These items have been purchased by the Odebolt-Arthur School District other than the mower (which was purchased as half the cost to BC-IG) and they need to stay in this district. In spite of the onpaper agreements, watch what is actually done instead of trusting the agreement on paper.
The Odebolt campus continues to show the serious lack of maintenance and disrepair, which has happened over the last couple of years. The steel doors need to be painted, broken cement pieces need to be removed, branches picked up and grass mowed, etc. Little effort has been made to keep the school looking presentable. Is this a refl ection of the complacency of the administration and board in thinking the inevitable— the shutting of the O-A building soon?
One of the main reasons that our board and the administration consider the O-A and BCIG districts to be such a good fit is because our board has acquiesced and given BC-IG most everything it has demanded. It would appear there has been no serious intent to uphold the interests of the O-A district by the administration or school board. A vote to reorganize will be a vote to shut the O-A School and to lose input from the patrons of the district.
Is this a signal that the patrons of the O-A district need to take their business to Ida Grove instead of doing business locally? What is good for the school should be good for the town. Perceived threats and intimidations and not addressing patrons’ concerns are certainly no way to promote a constructive, unified and healthy district consolidation.
No one should be made to feel intimidated or that they are against education and “what is best for the children” if they vote against something they do not believe in. Everyone has a right to voice or vote his or her own preference.
- Dorothy D. Evans
Odebolt
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