School Upgrades

An interview with Richard Daberkow on the topic of the school districts upgrades

By: Joe Hahn

Q: What are the problems with the current facilities?

A: In the elementary the are a lot…outdated electronically, bad heating, and space. In the high school the science areas need fixing and the its going to be brighter in the school (lighting wise) no more darkness. Q: How is the media involved?A: He says the media knows all…they are allowed at all of the board meetings so they have full coverage of what goes on.Q: What is the process for moving these projects forward?

A: The district hires an architect and work with them to make the structural plans.

Q: How is the community/district involved?

A: He says that they get inputs from the faculty and they have board meetings were the community can decide.

Q: Who gets to vote if the plan goes to votes?

A: First they take the suggestions to the board. If it becomes a bond issue then the public decides on what happens. If it isn’t then the board gets the decision.

Q: If it goes to a vote, what is required for passage?

A: If it goes to a bond issue then the public has to vote 60% on it. If it doesn’t then it’s the majority of the board.

Q: What are the timelines?

A: We have already started and we are going to try to upgrade the schools over the summer of 2008.

Q: What are the cost estimates?

A: we don’t know…but we will know after the May board meeting.

Q: What are the benefits for the kids?

A: Create better educational effiency and expand learning areas (Newpark)