Parkview's history is in three communities; its future could be in one
ORFORDVILLE — Three communities in one school district.
Geography has divided the Parkview School District through the years, and the fiscally conservative residents have voted down numerous building referendums.
Now, the school board is asking district residents to come together and make tough decisions forced by dropping enrollments and shrinking revenue.
A committee studying the future of the district likely will make a recommendation next month to the school board. On the table are options to close Newark and Footville elementary schools and build an addition onto Orfordville Elementary, or move all elementary students to the current junior/senior high and build a new school.
Enrollment has dropped from 1,046 in 2008 to 967 in January 2011. It's projected to continue dropping to 874 students by 2015. This fall's enrollment numbers were not yet available.
The rural school district is the largest geographically in Rock County, encompassing about 125 square miles, according to the state Department of Public Instruction.
But because of the importance of the elementary schools in each of the three communities—Orfordville, Footville and Newark Township—it's often been difficult for residents to think of the district as a whole.
It was "quite an ordinary thing" when John Abrahamson was growing up for residents to support construction at their own school but be leery of work at other schools in the district, he said. Abrahamson graduated in 1969 from Parkview and worked 34 years as a teacher and principal in the district. His dad served on the school board for 16 years.
"There was this feeling of, 'Wait a minute, is this fair? We have to kind of stand up for our own school as well,'" he said of feelings in each community. "So there was always a difficulty trying to get things passed because some people may not vote for it because" they felt it wouldn't benefit their kids.
Becoming Parkview
One-room schoolhouses scattered around southwestern Rock County served rural students from first through eighth grades until the state pushed for consolidation in the late 1950s.
Back then, students could choose which high school to attend, and many kids in what is now the Parkview district went to Evansville, Brodhead, Beloit or Janesville.
Parkview started as Joint School District No. 4, and the high school was a now-demolished, three-story, red brick building at the site of the current Orfordville Elementary.
During the same period, the Newark Consolidated School District built a four-classroom Newark school in 1959 to replace three one-room schoolhouses.
"The school building in the Newark School District was really kind of a community effort," said Ted Uber, whose dad, Cy, was on the school board and a principal at a Beloit school.
He said people in the township donated time and services to build the school, which received additions in 1963 and 1990.
"That's why there's such a strong feeling" about Newark, said Uber, 71, who still lives in the township. "The irony is our district had a great number of children down there, and that's why it was done."
A final consolidation folded Newark and Footville into Joint District No. 4 in the 1960s.
Then came the decision of where to build a new high school.
"This was a thing that really was divisive in the district," Abrahamson said. "Certainly, many people in Footville felt the high school should be built in Footville. There were people in Hanover that felt like it wouldn't be a bad location to have it there."
The Class of 1965 was the first to graduate from Parkview High School, a name chosen because it overlooks the nearby park. The district took the Parkview name in spring 1976, when state law required district names to reflect the areas they served.
As enrollment grew, the district needed to add space.
"Over the course of the history of our district, it has been very difficult to get any type of addition, and then you start adding three to four classrooms on the elementary at a time, instead of what you really need," Abrahamson said.
The district tried repeatedly to build a new junior/senior high school, including in the 1970s. After a couple failed tries, the district added what Abrahamson called a "pole shed," which consisted of a large room with classes separated by bookshelves and portable blackboards. That addition now is the library in the junior high, he said.
Abrahamson was hired as a seventh-grade geography teacher and started teaching in a portable classroom at the old high school. The portable classroom—bought in 1968 and used first at Newark—still is in use at the junior/senior high.
"I don't know what they paid for it at the time, but certainly it's been a bargain," he said.
Community attitudes
The district is conservative, former administrators say, and lacks industry.
"Obviously, they don't like to see their taxes go up," said Gloria Yaun, a retired district teacher and elementary principal of 27 years. "I still think it's probably the diversity of the three different communities."
"It's this mindset of what we have is enough," Abrahamson said. "It's been good enough for me, we'll get by. I think that is the attitude."
But he also thinks residents have never trusted the school board—always wondering, "Are they trying to close a building?"
Closing Newark Elementary has been discussed numerous times in recent decades.
Five of the seven current school board members live in Newark Township.
"Sometimes because of the factionalism of our district, it is difficult to get everybody to agree and have trust," Abrahamson said.
Newark Town Chairman David Grenawalt, whose dad served on the school board when he was a kid, thinks people can't afford to build more.
"We've got schools now, that's all we need," he said.
He thinks Newark Elementary should stay open because it's the community's identity, and more families will leave the district if the school closes.
Having a centralized campus might be an option, Uber said, but he wonders if the district is considering all options, including dissolving the district, which he admits would be terrible for the community.
"That's the hard and final option," he said.
Abrahamson and Yaun see the benefits of a centralized campus in Orfordville to overcome the years of divide.
"If the answer would have been easy, it's like any other difficult problem, it would have been solved long ago," Abrahamson said. "Nobody wants to eliminate the school from somebody's community."
Sep 27, 2011 at 2:39 p.m.
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"A thought, geographically Newark School is as close to Beloit as it is to Orfordville. how about moving just Newark into the Beloit School District?"
Its actually borders the Beloit Turner school district that would be the closest district not the Beloit School district. And the Newark area is a big area, bordering with Brodhead district on the other side.
It doesnt make any sense to me to build a whole new high school and then leave three buildings empty. If there is a decline why would you build a new school?? What makes sense is using the Orfordville elementry for all three and just adding on. Then there would be only two empty buildings.
Personally I think the schools should be put back to how they were K-6.
Sep 27, 2011 at 1:07 p.m.
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America is the land of opportunity? Anyone can get there huh? Boy you are just a rhetoric machine Shrek, the same ol same ol keeps just coming out.
Why dont you keep whining about keeping your taxes low while you and many more can pay more to help keep our education system available for all and functional, then maybe I will buy into the "Land of opportunity" crap you keep spinning. Millions of people in this country must be lazy according to you because we should all just be running our own businesses, why BECAUSE EVERYONE can do it!
Just because YOU sya its so doesnt make it so. Again your rhetoric and constant repeating of the same tough guy "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality is nice, but reality? hardly.
I am not "highjacking" anything, just will not let you get away with attempting to bash finances of public schools every chance you get in the interest of saving many well-to-dos like yourself (who CAN afford it) a few extra bucks.
I am DONE with you as well, tell everyone here how off topic I am when you are whining about paying a little more taxes on your property(s) that you supposedly can't afford. My contention is that you could give a damn about anyone elses taxes and want to save more for yourself. were you publicly educated? Try to remember someone else paid for that bub.
Sep 27, 2011 at 11:56 a.m.
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Sorry to the readers of this story that I allowed Fear to hijack another comment section to push his/her agenda. I am done bantering with them on this post.
Sep 27, 2011 at 11:47 a.m.
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I started my business with very little capital, just a solid business plan. Anyone can do it, you just underestimate people. Your opinion of how helpless people are is getting old. You can do whatever you put your mind to, if you want it bad enough.
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America is the land of opportunity, you just need to take advantage of it, not wait for someone to give it to you.
Sep 27, 2011 at 11:41 a.m.
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More rhetoric Shrek, not everyone can just start up a business without means(capital) ,or a market for their product or services. To say that "anyone can do it, is FALSE. Good for you in your venture, but to act as if anyone can do it is false. The "entitlement" repeating rhetoric is getting old, if thats what you continue to repeat, then fine, I just cant listen to folks that think this is an equally free nation where all can succeed, its just not reality.
Again I am glad to hear that you were able to succeed in your venture, but many are not in a position to do so. You cannot just start an enterprise from thin air, if you believe you can then you are truly dellusional.
Sep 27, 2011 at 7:47 a.m.
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Fear,
I was off work for two years, in that time I started a business. Anyone can do that, they are just too lazy. It is the truth and you are buying into the entitlement crap. If you want to be successful, you do whatever it takes to get there. Nobody is stopping you other than yourself. That is not hateful, it is reality.
Sep 26, 2011 at 4:54 p.m.
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BTW the 9/9/9 argument is a TAX hike on everyone almost doubling sales tax? All so income taxes and corpoporate taxes can be slashed? NO absolutely not. No way would I support such an idiotic plan. It really only benefits the wealthiest and screws poor/middle class folks, period.
We do agree on the negative affects of globalization Shrek. I think that its the biggest drag on our economy and both parties are responsible, same with immigration. However I DO NOT believe that Illegal immigration is as bad asmany say it is. Millions of folks paying into SS and never recieving benefits? A good deal for Americans i think. Also a good deal for all of the "job creators" that hire them to avoid income taxes and decent wages.
Sep 26, 2011 at 4:48 p.m.
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Shrek,
Referendum is "fair" but for whom? The majority of citizens that have already recieved their education on the backs of other taxpayers. So now we should cut?
Your assertion anbout the majority of citizens "getting off their lazy butts" is purely hateful rhetoric. Millions of VERY hard working middle class folks simply cannot find a job. They also CANNOT afford the ever inflating cost of health care, is that the fault of their lazy tendencies?
No offense but your contentions about so many Americans being lazy are an opinion at best. The "be a tough guy" mentality are cute when you can find work but for MILLIONS of folks its just not that easy, maybe you would understand if you struggled in that way. i am guessing that your 15,000 prperty tax bill means you are quite well-to-do, which is great and I am glad you are working hard and able to achieve. However to act as if the overwhelming majority is not willing to work hard is insulting and a flas argument.
Sep 26, 2011 at 4:47 p.m.
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Part of the discussion in closing Newark has to be the affect on the kids. When this was last brought up, the students from Newark would spend close to an hour on a bus to get to school in Orfordville. Not a favorable option for any parent.
Yes consolidating small classes, into fewer larger classes will save money with staff reductions. Again, is the in the best interest of the kids? It is a tough balancing act between fiscal responsibility and taking care of the students. There are no easy answers that will make everyone happy.
A thought, geographically Newark School is as close to Beloit as it is to Orfordville. how about moving just Newark into the Beloit School District?
Sep 26, 2011 at 3:46 p.m.
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I am a former resident of the Parkview District and remember when it was formed in the early 1960's. It is a product of a foresight at that time which proved out to be highly inaccurate. Families were uprooted from their former districts and forced into the new Parkview District. That was not anti education just it would not be anti-education to believe that it would make sense to disband the district and distribute students elsewhere. That would make good business sense and in the long term be of benefit to education.
Sep 26, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.
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Fear,
As usual, I disagree with much of what you say. I think the referendum is a fair way because most people will do what is right for the kids, they just will not approve excess spending without a solid plan of how that money will be spent. Money that is thrown at a problem without proper planning will almost always be wasted. (ie: Obama's stimulus)
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I also believe that tax cuts are the right thing to do. We need to close the tax loopholes that allow individuals and corporations to take advantage. Herman Cain has the right idea with his 9/9/9 plan. I expect that you have read about it as it would seem to be something that you would support.
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The race to the bottom, as you call it is the result of many things. First and foremost, in my opinion is the lack of motivation that many of our citizens have. If you want to be successful, it often takes much more than just going to work for 40 hours a week. I personally work about 80 hours a week between two jobs in order to improve my situation. Anyone can do this same thing, they just choose not to. The issue of globalization is a problem as well as illegal immigration. Both of these items reduce the wages of the American worker. Both of these items also cannot be blamed solely on Republicans.
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So to answer your question about the LARGER plan. I think people should get off their lazy butts and work harder, we should force our government to crack down on illegal immigration and we as consumers should be willing to pay higher prices to support American made products.
Sep 26, 2011 at 3:04 p.m.
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fear, well said
Sep 26, 2011 at 2:26 p.m.
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Of course that also doesn't take into affect the number of taxpayers that dont have kids in the district. While they should have a voice, those are the same people that had their public education paid for by others and don't want to continue paying taxes. Many that cliam they cannot afford a tax hike can, like Mr Shrek. Unfortunately the system of referendum while seemingly fair to most , the deck is stacked against schools as there are far fewer people in the community with a vested interest in the success in their local schools being up to date. Parkview is simply a mircochosm of what many other districts will be facing soon with this blind "fiscal conservatism" that seems to be deployed by republicants and bought into by many seniors on a fixed income that are in essence "empty nesters". To those people, I certainly hope that you think a little harder when you vote for and against things. When the repubs gain control they will be changing your Medicare to a coupon system that will allow you to buy insurance and negotiate with companies. Of course when you run out of the money allotted, 18,500 I believe , then you are up a creek w/o a paddle. Of course not to mention that these are the same folks that love watching wars play out on the news and can't figure out why we have no money? link:http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm
Between unfair trade policy and un ending wars our current partisan illusion of a govenmant has sold out the great majority of Americans. Unfortunately there is no one political party to point to. Cutting off your nose despite your face has not worked, the Bush tax cuts havent worked, free trade hasnt worked, cutting spending in the government sounds great but costs hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs.
This country is heading down much faster than anyone realizes. Jobs arent coming back, not Walker, Romney, Perry , Cain, Obummer, Bachmann can bring them back, no matter how much they tell you they can, they can't and won't.
I would like to hear your LARGER solution Shrek, other than tax cuts, that will allow this nation to once again flourish. Because without a viable, sustainable , well paid middle class we are doomed to complete the race to the bottom that so many believe is non-existent.
De Regulation doesn't work, i.e.. the financial collapse of 2008. Tax cuts haven't worked, nor has globalization. Maybe for some but not for the majority.
Sep 26, 2011 at 2:12 p.m.
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I personally would support consolidation if the numbers show that this is the best way, but ultimately it should be left up to the voters.
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I don't think disbanding the district is a good idea, a school is not only about education, it is about community. The school gives kids and parents something to rally around and be proud of.
Sep 26, 2011 at 1:44 p.m.
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Also, would you support disbanding?
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:58 p.m.
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You write so well Shrek. But just to be clear:
If consolidation were the most prudent option, would you support it?
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:53 p.m.
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The district needs to perform a detailed review of current costs and compare that with the costs of consolidating. I would expect that the cost of a bond to build a new school would be equivalent to the cost to run multiple locations.
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The next decision is whether it is important to have neighborhood schools. The district should do a study on how many kids actually walk to school and determine how many would be affected by the changes.
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The district could then present the compiled information to the taxpayers of the district and let them vote on what they think is right. I believe that informed voters will do what is best for their community, not just their pocketbooks.
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Too many times, the districts do not perform the necessary studies to provide the community with accurate information.
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:38 p.m.
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Point well taken Shrek. I hope both parties can come together on saving the district. But am I wrong? In these times when collaboration and moderation are in very short supply, tell me how you think the district will convince the anti-pay anything crowd to help out? Consolidation and less gov't/schools are a goal of many.
Sep 26, 2011 at 7:44 a.m.
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Critical Eye,
You need to quit with the generalizations. You don't know what conservatives want because you are so blinded by your ideology that you cannot believe that anyone else has a different opinion.
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The district needs to strike a balance between what is fiscally prudent and what will best serve the students of the district.
Sep 25, 2011 at 11:17 p.m.
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Closing the elementary schools
and raising the property taxes at the same time
will be devastating to the outlying communities.
The only one that comes out ahead is Orfordville.
Sep 25, 2011 at 11:01 p.m.
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How much money can you plan to spend in order to save money and still look people in the eye with a straight face?
This huge expenditure is going to send property taxes through the roof when people are struggling to get by.
Raise the taxes by the amount that is being planned and the people that can leave the district will.
A new school might give a bump in open enrollment students, but those students only bring in extra state aid, a dwindling source.
Open enrollment families do not pay property taxes in the district.
The difference in the cost of building and running the schools is picked up by the residents of the district.
Sep 25, 2011 at 9:05 p.m.
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The problem the article fails to mention how much money the districts waste to keep Newark open. This school should be closed. When you have a small district like this it may benefit them to actually consider building the new high school and use the existing school as mentioned for the grade school Jr high. In today's economy we all have to try and save where we can. I think the people of these communities really need to take a hard look at all there options something needs to happen and not everyone is going to be happy
Sep 25, 2011 at 7:25 p.m.
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Republicans will want to disband the district. Farm them out to neighbors.
Albany, Juda and others - you will be next.
Conservatives who do not care about schools want nothing but to save money.
O-P conservatives, you better act like Dems to save your district.
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