Goodrich- Plans to have the proposed bond extension for area schools ready for the November ballot have changed.
Trustees said at the June 18 meeting of the school board that a later ballot date was now being pursued for the issue, to allow time for proper consideration to be given to the matter.
Board President Michael Tripp said he felt the step back was based on three things.
‘First, there is a lot of information and items in the ‘proposals?? or ideas? brought forward by the community group,? said Tripp. ‘This is good. It gives us an opportunity to look at a very wide spectrum of ideas and perspectives. But, it also takes a lot of time, at least for me, to look at everything and to think about it both short-term and long-term.?
Tripp said he additionally wanted more time to think about the district needs, especially in regards to what should be done with Reid Elementary School. Debate has occurred as to whether the school should have short-term fixes made, or if a new elementary school should be built.
A second issue behind the delayed vote, said Tripp, is the amount of issues with which the board has been dealing of late.
‘The time available to look at and think about the ideas has been a little more limited than desired. With the settlement of the contracts this should help free up some additional time,? said Tripp.
A third issue prompting the later ballot date was the need to allow time for community feedback, said Tripp.
‘The last thing I want to do is rush through something and have regrets in the end over something that could have been different if only more time and focus had been given. I do believe taking our time is a good thing for the community. It also gives them time to think and consider the options and impact of the decisions and the vote,? said Tripp.
A recommendation from the Facility Planning Commission’a 61-member committee comprised of students, staff and community members? was presented to the board last month.
Not all committee members were satisfied with the recommendations given to the board. Recently elected board member Linda Jackson, who begins her term July 1, said she served on the Reid sub-committee and was unhappy with the final recommendations. Jackson said she felt too much focus was put on the high school, when Reid is the oldest building in the district and in need of attention.
Others said they felt the process was simply too rushed in the attempt to meet deadline for the November ballot, to do a proper job in the committee.
Phil Hartman, facilities consultant for construction management firm Wolgast Construction, of Saginaw, said the bond issue needed to be in treasury’with decisions made about what will and won’t get done? by July for the issue to be on the November ballot. Failing that, said Hartman, decisions would be needed by October for the issue to go to a vote in February 2008.