The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 12, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 15 August 1991 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - AUGUST 15, IWI

EDITORIALS I

■ ' ; ~ -T" ■ 1028 HEARING The legal title of a 1028 Hearing might not mean very much to most people, but at this time, in the John Glenn School Corporation District, a lot of people are very aware of what a 1028 Hearing means. The 1028 Hearing is the first meeting requied by law to inform the public of plans that have been considered for quite some time by the Board of Trustees for their solution to the middle school situation. At present, plans have reached the point by this group that is calling for construction of a new middle school to relieve the crowded situation that exists in the present junior high school. Also to be included in this is the conversion again to a middle school, consisting of sixth, sevenenth and eighth graders in the new building as opposed to just the seventh and eighth in the junior high set-up we have today. On Thursday, August 22, at 7:00 p.m., this 1028 hearing will be held in the gymnasium of the Urey Middle School. At this time, the procedure calls for the Board to present their plans for the proposal of a new middle school, with help of several who have been working on this plan for the school corporation. Following the presentation of the proposed plans, questions about the proposal will be allowed from those in attendance. Following the questions concerning the proposal, it will become time for public comment. This is open to anyone regardless of whether they favor or oppose the plans as the proposal calls for. Following these factions of the meeting, the John Glenn School Corporation Board of Trustees will then vote on a resolution to either continue as they stand at this time, or decide they should choose a different path to follow. This vote by the Board, if in favor of continuing the plans as they are at this point, will then initiate any other proceedings that are available in the future by remonstrators. The legal aspects of this will be better spelled out if the vote is to continue their present plans. It is to be understood that at this hearing next Thursday, all will be invited to express their views. But it might also be remembered, there in all probability will be a brief time limit for each to speak their piece. And actually, more credibility will be given to anyone who very briefly states a positive or negative stand, regardless of which it is instead of rambling on and for some time. The important thing is for any person, pro or con, to state their name, express their feelings and sit down. A continued drawn out speech isn’t going to impress anyone responsible. A count of the pros and cons is the important thing and the only thing that will be considered by the local board, state tax commissioners or anyone else who gets involved if this matter is drug out. This is a key decision for the Board and one that will not be the choice of a lot of people regardless of which way they go. This is everyone’s chance to be heard whether pro or con, and one that will affect the entire school district for many years to come. These Board members are your representatives ... let them know how you feel one way or the other.

“No Calls After 10:00” For several weeks we have all read about Nedra’s problem with late night phone calls. The gentleman’s name, Scott (I strongly object to the name Lucifer) lives in my home. He’s a friendly guy who meets a lot of people. He doesn’t hand out his phone number to all he meets. Blaming him for her phone calls is unfair. The rule at our house is no phone calls after 10:00. People who call after that are told. The blame is with the parents who let their children talk on the phone all night. I apologize to Nedra and now that she has our phone number she is welcome to pass it on. Name Withheld At Request “Middle School” If you live in the John Glenn School Corporation you’re involved, whether you like it or not. Involved to the extent that your school corporation is about to build a new middle school, and you’re going to pay for it. I’m against the proposed building for three main reasons: (1.) John Glenn's tax rate to too high. (2.) Proposed school is too expensive. (3.) Other priorities will be sacrificed. John Glenn’s tax rate is $6.60 per hundred ranks 19th out of 296 school corporations in Indiana.

In terms of dollars generated per student, John Glenn ranks 45th, with the 44 corporations generating more tax dollars per student all taxing against larger assessed valuations per student. In assessed valuation per student, we rank 153rd. A tax rate consistent with our assessed valuation would be $4.50 per hundred. At $6.60, we’re already $2.10 too high. Every new project we consider must be extremely cost effective. Unfortunately, the proposed middle school project is a most expensive solution to the Urey Middle School problem. In terms of total cost, cost per square foot, and cost per middle school student, this proposal is too high. The most striking example is cost per student, calculated at $2,250 per Urey student this year. The new school adds an additional $3,000 per middle school student per year, more than doubling the property tax hit per student. In addition, the cost of servicing the debt on this project will put other corporation priorities at risk. If all our buildings were in perfect shape, teacher salaries (ranked 213th) were consistent with valuation, and we were confident about future support from the state, etc., I’d feel better. 1 don’t feel better. I want the proposed John Glenn Middle School project stopped. It will raise tax rates that are already too high, it’s too expensive and will throw too many tax dollars at too few students, and it will soak up tax dollars we are going to need for other priorities. Trouble is, I

can't stop this project. I know you can. Dan Patrick ‘‘Faith In Our Community Leaders” We would like to say that we are in favor of building a new middle school for the John Glenn School Corporation. There has been a lot said about how much of a tax increase there will be, but after figuring the increase on our property we find that the persons opposing the school make the increase look much larger than it really is. The increase on your tax assessed valuation will start in 1994 and will only be 63 cents per one hundred dollars. This is the highest it will be and in five years we will be paying less than we are today, with a new up to date middle school. It is true that if we don’t build a new middle school our debt service will go down to nothing and our taxes will be less. We do not favor this because we feel strongly that there will always be a need for taxes to keep our school buildings up to date with repair or to build new facilities. In our opinion we think there is a need for a facility where our school staff can have more space and equipment to prepare our children for the future. We have adequate elementary and high school facilities, why loose the continuity with an inadequat middle school? This is one of the most formative years of our youth’s lives. We need to work on developing a good community climate where we have good schools, churches, government, retail stores and recreation facilities. These are the good things in a community that attracts industry and makes it a place to where people will want to move. In the final analysis a positive community dimate is based on faith that people have in their area and their leaders. We have faith in our school board, the persons we elected to make decisions for us. The elected officials have studied for over two years the needs of our middle school, have hired consultants for guidance and have made the judgement this is what is best for the school corporation and our children. We would like to urge people who are in favor of a new middle school to become involved, come to the meeting at Urey School on August 22 at 7:00 p.m. and tell your school board how you feel. Many of you have children or grandchildren (as we have) who will be attending the John Glenn Middle School. Lets make sure they have the type of school they need. Again, we urge you to look at your tax assessment, see that the increases (63c first year, 59c second year, 31c third year, 28c fourth year and 11c fifth year) will mean on your tax. We believe we can not wait any longer in order to keep our schools competitive with others in the area. The interest rates and construction costs are lower now than predicted for the future. Our investment now will help to make leaders in the future. Ray and Marian Chapman Taxpayers in John Glenn School Corporation “John Glenn School Board” To the John Glenn School Corp. School Board. Can you folks face the people after this? Do you have a conscious? The people of the community will shun you. Wake up there other people in the community that have feelings also. The only reason you want this is that you’ll get your name on a plaque. The taxes you school board members pay is peanuts. What are you going to do if the industry in Walkerton and North Liberty get fed up and move to Carolina? Listen, that could happen. If we as farmers and other people in the community can’t

stand the heat of taxes, it will put a burden on one or the other of industry or people of the community. Do you know that our neighboring county, Starke County, has 900 people that can’t pay their taxes. It could happen right here at home, so wake up School Board, this is a fact. The John Glenn Corporation (Liberty, Lincoln & Johnson has 60 parcels that are delinquent. The economy is at the bottom of the ladder. With education or not, it's hard to find a job. I know of a man that graduated from Notre Dame in the architect field. He worked at Inland Steel, things got tough and he was laid off. Do you know what he does now? He delivered pizza for Dominos and works at Builders Square, almost minimum wage. Wake up people, it’s time to stand up and be counted. Be at the Urey School August 22 at 7:00 p.m. A Taxpayer From Polk Twp. Ed Dolph ‘‘John Glenn School Corporation Patrons” I would encourage all interested JGSC patrons to attend a special School Board meeting (1028 Hearing) on August 22, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. in the Urey Middle School gym. The topic of this meeting will be the proposed new middle school. Details concerning the educational purpose, site, estimated construction costs, impact on the tax rate, etc., for the proposed new building will be discussed. Patron input is needed to help make this important decision. I have been asked by a number of people to explain the tax impact of the new building project. The proposed middle school will cost approximately 11.5 million dollars and could be financed over a 20 year period. In 1994, the project would add 63 cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation to the current Debt Service tax rate. For example, in 1994, a patron with an assessed valuation of 15,000 dollars would pay an additional 94.50 dollars (150 x 63) per year for the new middle building. These costs are based upon an eight percent interest rate. The 63 cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation is the largest increase, as within five years the Debt Service tax rate would be lower than is currently charged. The school corporation debts will be reduced each year. If you have specific questions about the financing of this project, please contact the superintendent’s office. 1 would like to thank all the people who have sent cards, made phone calls, or offered personal congratulations on my selection as superintendent of schools. It is reassuring to know the John Glenn Community is so supportive of our schools. I will work extremely hard to serve you, the patrons, and to keep our students’ best interest as my top priority. I will strive to follow the JGSC motto of making our schools a “great place to learn”. Dick Reese “Still The Good Old Suunertima” It is still summer but sometimes I think that it just grows older, not gooder. Then I think that we really are very fortunate in that we have enough food to keep us going all year. So many people in other countries and even our own have to forage daily just to have enough to survive. We have offered produce to young people who are having a hard time. They say that they can’t afford the jars and lids to can. We have then offered them those items. They still refused to take and preserve. I have very little sympathy for those who won’t try and help themselves. These are usually the first asking for monetary help later. Once in awhile (even in Walkerton) you run across a person who helps others without a big fanfare. Most of the time we see the pictures of our so-called civic leaders

giving out donations gathered by others. The little guy doing most of the free labor gets very little recognition. I eat breakfast quite often with such a person. This young man takes people to the doctor. He runs errands for others. He works two jobs but he still has time to help. He is a good example for other young people to follow. Larry Perry, I would take off my hat (if I had one, but Roy always takes mine) to you. You deserve a big thank you. I give you many I We still have a limited amount of tomatoes and okra for sale. Just give us a call. 586-3627. Nothing like a free ad. Roy thinks that we need more tomato juice. He certainly likes to run the new food mill. Now if 1 could just train him to process the juice. I really shouldn't complain. In years past his main contribution to canning was to eat the finished product. I see that the sidewalks are still not done. It seems that some water mains are severed. This way the street department can get on the job training. See, something good always comes from something bad. Anyway, it’s only government money. Watch for a money making activity coming up by The Cottage Restaurant for the athletic department. It’s going to be a good time. Good food too! Well, it’s off to the tomato patch forme. Sincerly, Nedra Williams “Remember August 22, 1991” It is extremely important that every patron and taxpayer of the John Glenn School Corportion attend the 1028 hearing on August 22, 1991. At this hearing our elected school board will take a legal and binding vote on whether to build a new middle school in our district. I realize that something must be done to relieve the perceived crowding situation in our school system. However, for the past 12 months the majority of our school board has steadfastly refused to consider any alternative that building a new school with a 6-7-8 grade arrangement. It is extremely important that each and every taxpayer attend this meeting as this vote will set in motion the plan to build the new school building at a cost of at least $9-11 million. This debt will most assuredly cost the taxpayer $22-24 million over the 20 year proposed life of the lease. This decision could not come at a worse time for all taxpayers. The business economy has come to a standstill. All levels of government including the school board are poised to raise taxes to cover daily operations, and the farm economy is in a desperate condition. It is high time that the majority of taxpayers, whether for or against the project, let their feelings be known. Whining and griping about the situation outside of board meetings simply won't help either side. You must attend the board meeting and let your rational opinions be heard. It is time that this board hear from more than just the dozen or so people who have continuously made an effort to attend the meetings and let our opinions be known. The group known as Taxpayers For Education is truly not against education or improving facilities. We have steadfastly asked for a two year delay in the building process to allow the tax rate to be reduced and have continually asked to be included inthe process of deciding what if any facilities need be built. The majority of our current school board members appear to have their minds fixed on building, regardless of the cost to the communities involved. Whether or not your are in favor of the current building project plan, we beg you to be at Urey Middle (continued on Page 13)