Teutopolis Residents Urged to Contact School Board Members Prior to Monday's High School Vote

Print

Published on September 17 2018 8:42 pm
Last Updated on September 18 2018 6:30 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Respectfully disagreeing with the plan to demolish the 1929 portion of the Teutopolis High School building and construct nine classrooms, Teutopolis resident Rick Siemer encouraged those who gathered at an informational meeting Monday night to contact school board members if they also disagree with the plan.

It's anticipated that the Teutopolis School Board will vote at their meeting on September 24 to proceed with the sale of health and life safety bonds to finance the project. However, Siemer said, "If there are strong feelings about this (against the plan), conversations need to be held, conceivably, over the next week."

Teutopolis Superintendent Bill Fritcher was present for the meeting that also attracted more than 100 Teutopolis residents. Only one board member was present, Leon Gobczynski, who has indicated he will vote against the question. Gobczynski indicated he thinks any such project should be taken to the voters in the form of a referendum. It should also be noted that only a limited number of board members can be together without questions arising about violating the Open Meetings Act.

Siemer utilized the Frequently Asked Questions guide prepared by the school district to ask his own questions of the plan.

(RICK SIEMER REVIEWS THE PAYBACK OF BONDS THAT WOULD FINANCE THE TEUTOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT)

One item, the survey conducted earlier this year, was questioned since Siemer noted there were just two options...renovate the 1929 portion of the builidng or tear it down and replace that section with nine classrooms. Siemer suggested "do nothing" or perhaps "do not-so-much" could have been included as options.

Siemer noted that some of the classrooms in the 1929 portion aren't being used and that, perhaps, two or three classrooms could be built to address needs and leave the 1929 portion alone. He also questioned the payback plan regarding the bonds. The Board is considering keeping the bond amount lower in the first few years until bonds issued earlier are paid off, then raising the amount. Siemer said paying off the bonds at the same amount each year would save about $750,000 in interest.

Greg Sapp spoke with Siemer at the close of the meeting for his impressions of the session...

Following Siemer's presentation, other citizens asked questions, including why not, if the project is needed, pursue it in segments to lessen the price tag?

One longtime Teutopolis resident, Ed Wiessing, said, "I am really enthusiastic about the community and we need to keep that going", indicating that schools are something people consider when deciding where to locate. He suggested that with the village's efforts to establish a new residential subdivision, more people could be looking at Teutopolis as a place to live.

Siemer, too, although he has misgivings about the current plan, said the meeting was not intended to create any controversy, and as a former longtime Teutopolis school board member, encouraged appreciation for the "tough job" undertaken by those board members.

Siemer said, "The school board has total authority to do this (issue the health and life safety bonds without going to referendum). If you wish, tell your elected officials this is not the way to go."