BOARD CONTINUES TO WORK ON FACILITY ISSUES

July 05, 2007

The Scottsbluff Public Schools Board of Education appreciates everyone who has attended recent board meetings to give input on the future of district facilities. The board has also heard from a number of people by letter and e-mail on how the district should proceed with building improvements.

The next step for the school board will be to form a new committee in September after everyone is back from their summer vacations. This committee will consist of parents, patrons, and staff and will allow the board to receive input, determine priorities, funding sources, and solutions to the district’s needs.

The board is considering a survey of district patrons to gather additional information on what the community would support with regard to future facility development.

A day trip to Lexington, Nebraska is also being considered by the board. Information about Lexington’s middle school being renovated 10 years ago was shared with the board recently and the school board is interested in seeing the building and talking with Lexington’s administration. The board would also like to gather information on the magnitude of the remodel process, understand the planning involved in the Lexington Middle School renovation, and potential issues associated with renovating a building with students receiving instruction during the remodel process. If a trip to Lexington is scheduled, the board will invite interested patrons to be part of the contingent making the trip. Information about the trip would be released through the media.

A lot of time and effort went into the last bond referendum. The board conducted many studies and formed various committees to look at the district needs. The next step in the facility upgrade process will not happen overnight, but will also take much input, planning, research, and effort.

You can contact the board of education at anytime with your concerns and questions by emailing boe@sbps.net or calling 635-6200. Our meetings are open to the public and published in the Star Herald or on our web site (www.sbps.net).