Joint Meeting with MTVTHS
Thursday, May 4, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in joint session with the Mt. Vernon Township High School Board for a Workshop Meeting to discuss the possible new school project. The high school board called the meeting for 7:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Workshop Meeting to order. Roll call showed present: Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
High school Superintendent Terry Milt asked everyone to introduce themselves. The following were in attendance: Terry Milt, Greg Backes President of Board, Pat Garrett Board Member, Mayor David E. Keen, John Howard Council Member, Mike Walker Council Member, Roy L. Payne City Manager, Rick Kirkpatrick of FGM, Roger Greenwalt of FGM, Greg Simms of Crossroads Hospital and the Chamber of Commerce President, Tim Kwiatkowski of FGM, Andy Hutchins Mayor of Ina, Winston Fullerton Trustee Ina, Reverend Ron Lash, Mary Ellen Bechtel Director of JCDC, Craig Hedin local citizen and Jackie Sharp City Clerk.
Mr. Milt went over the history to date regarding the possible new school beginning with Mr. Sabatino four years ago. The creation of the new site and the facility committee. There have been several informal meetings and former Mayor Milton R. Sees pledged City support. Local Senators, etc. have told the school to be ready in case the State loosened the money. Mr. Milt stated that there is still no plan in place, no location, or official request.
Should the question be on the November ballot? If so what should the question be, should it be a new school at a new location or remodel the old campus. To try to get everyone on the same page there was a meeting two weeks ago.
Mr. Rick Kirkpatrick spoke and handed out preliminary drafts and basic proposals for the project. Mr. Kirkpatrick stated, that decisions need to be made as to what is needed. What the buildings need to have and what location. On this site or a new location. Each teacher should have a spot and not share classrooms. What is affordable. Capacity of students, a gymnasium, an auditorium, what will the
CDB pay for. Mr. Kirkpatrick spoke regarding the fact that the State will help faster with unhoused students, disaster losses, etc.
Mr. Pat Garrett stated that $44 million might not be enough money that he sees that there is no electronics lab, no health occupation area, machine shop and fewer science labs in some of the plans.
Greg Backes President of the School Board stated that the State does not fund phases or stages for building. It is a one time shot so you have to know what the needs are.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that what is needed is a quality education for our children. The City got behind the K-3 project and put in $1.3 million in infrastructure for that project. Mr. Keen stated that he attended the January meeting with the CDB. A new school would be a very good economic development tool for the City.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that the City has decided that they will only help with the funding if it is a new school at a new location. Council Member Mike Walker stated that the recent Prager study also stated the fact that a new school, new location is needed. Mr. Payne stated that the thing that has to be done is to educate the voters on all of the information so that they will make a good vote. He stated that he does not feel that it can be accomplished by the November election. There will need to be a lot of public meetings and publications.
Mr. Greg Sims stated that the hospital had been trying to recruit new physicians and after looking at the school they did not come to Mt. Vernon. The truancy rate is also a big deterrent.
Discussion was held by everyone regarding how to educate the voters and how important that step is.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to adjourn this Joint Workshop Meeting. Second by Councilman Mike Walker. Yeas: Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.