The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
Monday, December 10, 2012
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Page 5
C ommentary Why build now, why build in two phases, and why build an elementary first? Submitted by Robin Honken, Ruth Peterson, Anne Spartz Most of us know the issues with both the Peterson and Rushford Facilities. If you don’t, we ask that you request a tour of the buildings and see for yourself the crumbling walls, inefficient spaces, Robin Honken the dungeonlike rooms that house our preschoolers, the lack of bathrooms on the top level, small hallways and stairwells that would make it difficult to quickly exit in case of a fire, the small elevator that barely allows for wheelchair access, the difference in temperature from classroom to classroom. The list goes on and on. What we would like to focus on at this time however, is why build now, why build in two phases, and why build an elementary first. Why build now? The last time the community invested in the R-P facilities was 43 years ago
when the High School gymnasium was built. In addition, the current interest rates are at an all-time low. We’ve heard some say fix what we have. Certainly that is one option; however, this is a costly option. The School District has done a great job of maintaining and fixing what we have while still balancing the budget. One example of this was the installation of a $25,000 ventilation system in the wrestling room after mold was found last year and some wrestlers were getting ill during practice. But, the entire cost to renovate both facilities will run between $10-12 million in Rushford, and $1.7 million in Peterson, and then we will still have old, inefficient buildings. In order to fix what we have, we as local tax payers are going to have to foot the bill, and we still won’t see significant savings in the school district operating budget. Currently, we spend around $115,000 a year now just for electricity and heat for two facilities, which could be greatly reduced in one new energy efficient building. So, we
have to ask ourselves, does that make sense? Why build in two phases? The School Board, Administration, and members from the Facilities Task Force (volunteer local citizens) have spent countless hours researching and evaluating options, consulting with experts, visiting with and providing tours to state and local representatives, lobbying at the state, giving tours to local citizens, meeting with local businesses and groups, and much more. They have done their homework. There are some whoThe wonder why not build the Minnesota entire facility now, rather than in two phases? We would love to see that happen, but is that a likely option, and will the majority of tax payers support that? In 2007, the flood hit Rushford, which gave us an opportunity to ask the state for Display Adhelp. Due to a tight Network state budget, state money wasYour not granted at that time to newspaper fund a new EC-12 building. has agreed to parWhile lobbying at the state level, ticipate were in the 2x2“When individuals asked, wasDisplay the last Ad timeNetwork the R-P comprogram by running munity invested in the school facilities?” The answer these ads in the mainwas 43 news section of your Letter about R-P there have and Peterson School District. stand newspaper (notbeen thesuggesReferendum It appears that the district is in tions made that the repairs classified section of To the Editor, are far too costly to need of some improvements to needed your and newspaper). I am writing with regard to the buildings in Rushford and sustain the onlyAt option times,to be advertisers the direction of the Rushford Peterson. From what I under- appears to build a new may request a specifK-12 Facility over the next few years in Rushford. The cost ic section. However, The City of Lanesboro is seeking out volunteers for could range $15 million the decision is ulti- now Board and Commission positions. for mately a elem building and some up to each where over 20 million for the The City currently has the following Boards and Commissions: Park newspaper. K-12 building. Ads Sorrymay if I don’t Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Heritage Preservation need be decreased have thattoexactly correct. Commission, Public Utilities Commission, Library Board and slightly in size to fit Economic Development. If you would be interested in volunteering your column sizes. for a future position, please submit an application to the City Office located at 202 Parkway Avenue South. Applications are available on the website at www.lanesboro-mn.gov or can be picked up at the City Office. If you have questions, please call 507.467.3722 or e-mail Lanesboro@acegroup.cc.
Holiday Hours (Until After Christmas)
1 Mile North of Preston on Hwy 52
Preston, MN • 507-765-2250
Mon-Sat: 8am-7pm Sun: 1-5pm
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years ago. We’re certain that did not help our chances for state funding. So, now we are being asked as a community to fund a $15 million project that would allow for the first of two phases to be completed. The outlook of the state budget is much brighter than it was two years ago, which should also help our chances at obtaining additional funding. Why build an elementary first? Again, after much research and consulting, it was recommended that building an elementary first will do the most to attract new people to town. A strong school district will help a community stay strong and grow. A growing community will see strong businesses and a larger tax base. So, let us recap. •It has been 43 years since we’ve invested in our school facilities and interest rates are at an all-time low, so it is time; •Repairing the current facilities will cost millions, that we as tax payers will need to fund, and then we still have old, inefficient buildings; •The plan to build in two phases will not tax the commu-
nity as much as building all new now; •Community support for phase one will be looked at more favorably by the state as we move towards phase two of this project; •Building an elementary first will do more to attract new people to town, which will help the community and local economy grow. Finally, let’s not forget about the kids who spend about 1,600 hours a year at school. We owe it to our children to provide them a safe, healthy environment to learn and grow, as well as opportunities to utilize advances in technology and the same up-todate learning spaces that children in neighboring districts have. For more information on the referendum, including FAQ’s, myths, and the breakdown of costs to fund the new building, see this website, www. voteyesr-p.org, or come to the next open meeting on Dec. 10 at the High School cafeteria, please ask questions, get informed, and then VOTE YES on December 19.
From my point of view the building in Peterson offers two softball fields, a football field, tennis court, and a gymnasium. The building is a brick structure that was built in the 1950s with a fairly new roof. Somewhere I read that it would take 1.7 million dollars to repair this building. Personally I think we should get another estimate. I put in a furnace lately for around $4,000. We could put a new furnace in every room in the
building for probably $60,000. I realize I am not a HVAC guy, but a little common sense has to come into play here. Even if the cost was around $200,000 I believe the community would probably come together to help out to save the school in Peterson. I would be willing to lead a task force to collect bids and look for local contractors and outside investors to complete that project. Jeff Thompson Peterson, MN
2x2 & 2x4 ads to run ONE TIME, the w
these If you have Due to theads. Christmas holiday, the questions, please call Sumner Township Supervisors’ MNAwillatbe 800/279Meeting held on Monday, 2979. Thank you. at the December 17 at 7:30pm Sumner Town Hall. Melinda Miller, Clerk
Fillmore County 2013 Committee Vacancies:
District:
Community Health Services Advisory Committee
3
Community Corrections Task Force (3-2 yr. term)
3
Economic Development Authority Board (6 yr. term)
5
Economic Dev. Authority Board Ex. Officio (6 yr. term)
2
Economic Dev. Authority Board Ex. Officio (6 yr. term)
5
Southeast MN Area Regional Trails For more information, please contact Karen Brown, Coordinator at 507.765.4566. It would be helpful if you could respond by December 31, 2012. The board thanks you for your consideration.