Meeting to discuss Parkview facility plans
The Parkview School District faces an estimated deficit of $500,000 in the next school year according to new estimates announced at Monday's school board meeting.
Superintendent Steve Lutzke presented the estimate during an update on the long-range planning committee's discussion about closing Newark and/or Footville elementary schools next year.
More than 15 residents and staff members attended the regular meeting, but board members did not discuss the issue. A special meeting planned Monday, Nov. 28, will be solely for discussion about the district's facility plans.
Resident Norm Aulabaugh urged the board to close Newark. He was the only person to speak during public comments.
Eight portable classrooms are necessary at Orfordville Elementary School if both Newark and Footville schools close, he said. With declining enrollment possible in five or six years, it might be economically feasible to close Footville as well, he suggested.
Lutzke last year recommended closing Newark, but the board voted against it, Aulabaugh noted.
"For the time being, and as a resident of this school district, I would strongly urge you to look at Steve's recommendation, and that would be to close just Newark," he said.
The planning committee has been considering consolidating elementary schools into Orfordville and moving the sixth grade to the junior high.
One plan includes permanently adding 20,000 square feet of classrooms, a new gym and cafeteria to Orfordville Elementary, and remodeling part of the school at an estimated cost of $9.26 million. The tax impact would be $1.23 per $1,000 of property value, or $185 on a $150,000 home, said Pat Miller, business manager.
Lutzke said Monday the estimate to add only eight permanent classrooms is $2.5 million, according to estimates from J.P. Cullen & Sons. That tax impact would be 32 cents per $1,000, or $48 on a $150,000 home.
About $100,000 would be needed to update the kitchen to accommodate the additional students, Lutzke said.
Lutzke showed outside pictures of a similar eight-classroom portable unit taken during a weekend visit to the Brown Deer School District near Milwaukee. He said the portables looked better on the outside than the actual school, and such a structure wouldn't look out of place at Orfordville.
If you go
What: Special Parkview School Board meeting
When: 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
Where: Little theater at junior/senior high school, 106 W. Church St., Orfordville.
Why: The only item on the agenda will be to discuss and possibly make a motion on consolidating the district's elementary schools.
Nov 25, 2011 at 9:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Why don't they call Karin Rajnicek and maybe she can show them how they can use the tools they've been given to make this work.
Nov 23, 2011 at 9:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
"- I'm going to the store."
"- Why? You ain't got no money."
"I'm going anyway."
Nov 23, 2011 at 9:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
Between the village taking my money to update the sewer treatment plant and the school district. What little bit of raise I would have gotten for social security. You want to spend before I even see it. And I don't even smoke or drink, good thing stables has two for one on Monday's.
Nov 23, 2011 at 9:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Wow.. So in order to get out of being $500k in debt next year they want to spend 9.62 million?? This makes perfect sense. Why dont they raise the tax smaller than the proposed to cover the 500k? We have some real winners making decisions over there....wow.
Nov 22, 2011 at 9:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
48 bucks on home? Jesus, put down the lottery tickets, smokes, beers and one dinner out on the town per year and you built a school. Please, folks - pay a little to have your kids have buildings to learn in.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.