The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 13, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 22 August 1991 — Page 4

4

- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS — AUGUST 22. 1991

I EDITORIALS MMMIMU

REMINDER OF MEETING We would like to remind all interested parties who want to have their say on the middle school question, the meeting with the John Glenn School Board for the hearing on this proposal, as mandated by law, will be held tonight (Thursday, August 22), at 7:00 p.m. in the Urey Middle School gymnasium. At this time, after a presentation of the plans as they are at this time, and then questions concerning these plans, the public will be invited to comment on this proposal. Following the patron input system, the board will then vote on a resolution to move forward with these plans or to not move in this direction and make other plans along this line. It might be well to remember, a simple comment of support or opposition to this plan will be sufficient. The Board and any who may be further involved in this or any other plan will be interested only in those for or against, not personal reason either way. Keeping comments brief and explicit will certainly help the meeting move along in better fashion as a large crowd is expected and the meeting could turn out to be quite lengthy. Everyone will be given a chance to state their view. Remember, 7:00 p.m. at the Urey Middle School, tonight, Thursday, August 22. It is a meeting that will have a lot of bearing on the future of the school district regardless what the decision.

lIIHURS EDITOR \1

“Middle School” Board member Dan Patrick has compiled an impressive list of figures to support his decision on why he wants the proposed middle school project stopped. His three main reasons being: 1. John Glenn’s tax rate is too high; 2. proposed school is too expensive; 3. other priorities will be sacrificed. On February 19, 1991, just six short months ago, Mr. Patrick gave a lengthy presentation on his concerns for the middle school project and the building site being located in the Walkerton area. He noted that by choosing a North Liberty site a substantial savings would occur, compared to locating the building in Walkerton. Board members Dave Hostetler and Jean Beem expressed concern over additional transportation costs and riding time of the children in their districts, Polk Township and Johnson Township, respectively. During the meeting a motion was made by Dan Patrick to select proposal “B 3 This proposal is summarized as such: renovate the North Liberty School as a middle school and an elementary school, provide new space as required for both programs. The project budget for this proposal is 12 million dollars! The vote on that proposal was one for, that being Dan Patrick, and five against. My questions are where were Mr. Patrick's concerns over our tax rate then? Why is the selected proposal “Al" for SI 1.5 million too expensive but sl2 million isn’t? What priorities will have to be sacrificed with the chosen proposal that would now have been with his favored choice? After reading the minutes of the February 19, 1991 school board meeting, it should be apparent to everyone that Mr. Patrick does not have a problem with a building project, just with the selected proposal. Please keep this in mind when reading of his opposition to this particular project. The Urey Middle School building does not meet all the educational needs of our middle school students. There is very little disagreement on this point. In a study of our corporation by Dr. Theodore J. Kowalski, of Ball State University, it was stated that this “multi-story structure is not supportive of a modern middle school program." He also points out that in the early 80’s a significant amount of money was spent on Urey in an attempt to improve the facility. This effort created several debts but the project fell far short

of what was needed. This is not something we want repeated. Dr. Kowalski’s study further points out that "any facility solution ought to be: a. long-term in nature; b. predicated on educational programming needs as the primary consideration; c. attempt to solve problems at as many sites as possible; and d. the result of integrated decisions that weigh instruction, management and finances.” I believe the majority of our board considered all of these points when selecting a new middle school proposal. Our school corporation is comprised of small communities and townships made up of residential, industrial, retail and agricultural areas, each with their own personal concerns about this issue. While board members should listen in good faith to these concerns, it is never the less clearly stated in the Indiana School Board Association membership guide that "Sometimes it is difficult for such board members to disassociate themselves from the particular problems of the neighborhoods in which they reside in matters of decision-mak-ing involving the total school community. Another principle of ethical (or team) operation, therefore, is that each board members develop the concept that he represents the entire corporation and that he must make decisions based upon what is the best for the pupils of the total community rather than merely for those residing within his geographical area. Likewise, a board member must take care not to “represent" any vested interest group, organization, racial or religious group, political party, or any other ethnic or organizational sub-division of the total community. Each board member must feel that he represents the total corporation, regardless of the method by which he was selected.” When making decisions board members must commit to the concept of “children first". Failure to do so is nothing more than a misuse of public trust. The citizens of this school district should take great pride in the corporation we have established. By looking at the number of students going on to four year colleges (the percent doing so in 1989 is almost double the percent in 1960) we can see what a wise investment it has been. While we can enjoy our successes, we can not become complacent with our efforts. We must be committed to meeting the changing needs of our students. This is not an extravagant building project. Let your board members know you support it! A Parent Pnslilum” In this weeks past Sunday South

Bend Tribune, 8/18/91, Supt. Dick Reese stated that "Because of space problems, in 1988 the 7th and Bth graders cohabitated Urey Middle School, and the 6th graders stayed in the elementary schools." What was failed to be mentioned by the present Superintendent as well as the past Superintendant, or any present or past school board member, is the so called "space problem" was created in 1988 when the North Liberty 7th and Bth graders were “moved" into Urey, thus leaving unoccupied class rooms available in North Liberty Elementary and an overcrowded situation at Urey. Why not then move the 7th and Bth graders back to North Liberty and renovate the existing Urey building to meet the needs of the students. A good example of a renovation project is the “Old Lakeville School Project.” Then we could better use our tax dollars for quality teachers, textbooks and materials for a better education. A Concerned Taxpayer For Quality Education “Let’s Not Regreoa” It is every property owners right, in the school district, to express an opinion regarding the school project. Although in doing so, if information is publicized, the information should be correct and not misleading. A Taxpayers for Education member voiced his concern that if the new middle school is built it will jeopardize the JGSC ability to pay competitive salaries and retain the excellent teachers we currently have. Teachers’ salaries will not be affected by the JGSC’s decision to persue any building project. Any building or rennovation project is paid out of the Capital Projects of Debt Service fund. School employee’s salaries are paid from the General fund only. Cross spending between the different funds is prohibited. Teachers professionalism must not be underestimated by assuming they become teachers or remain in our schools just for monetary reward. A best paid teacher does not equal “best teaching.” They do deserve to be paid well but if other areas are lacking, they may change schools or even professions. The faculty must be provided with adequate facilities, equipment and superb curriculum to perform the best they can in teaching our children. If the teachers lack these needs our children are the ones that suffer. Indiana ranks 47 our of the 50 states in average SAT scores. Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual “School Statistical Report” states that the estimated 1989-90 U.S. average expenditure per pupil in daily attendance was $4,896. JGSC spent $3,972 per pupil. In 1990/91 JGSC spent $3,451 plus $205 for transportation per pupil served. It is no wonder Indiana ranks poorly. Taxpayers for Education have asked for a two year delay in the building project. There is no crystal ball to look into to see what the economy, inflation or interest rates will be then. As stated in previous news articles, the tax increase will not affect us until 1994. The interest rates for bonds are less than 8 percent now. Why delay this now??? Let us proceed forward with this long awaited planned middle school project. Lets not regress in education but go forward for progress. A new middle school by the high school is the best and most cost effective choice for future generations. Curt Pletcher Polk Twp. “Eat*” fim This morning 1 am writing from a local restaurant on the east side of Walkerton, The Cottage. h’s probably the only eating place in Walkerton that would let me bring my typewriter. When I walked in Denise had already poured by coffee and had water served to my

booth. While Linda and Bert are preparing my meal, I will jot down a tew words. The Walkerton area is fortunate to have a variety of eating places. If a meal is wanted at an early hour, 4:00 a.m., I can go to Welco, the are open 24 hours. If I want to eat in my car, 1 can always go to Kicker's Drive-In. They have excellent Falcon Burgers. For either a quick or elegant meal I can go to The Cottage. Uptown there is Mr. Tee's Restaurant. They serve a large and succulent meal. For the best pie in town go to DeJoss Drug Store. They will even put whip cream and a cherry on it. Wanda always has a quickly served meal ready if you are in a hurry. Larry’s Quick Mart has fried goodies to either eat in or take out. Pizza is available from the Walkerton Lanes Bowling Alley. It also is available from The Cottage, totally made from scratch. Page has just refilled my coffee cup for the third time. These girls really do a good job keeping the customers happy. Larry and Karen Schuller, the owners, are very fortunate to have good employees. Since this is Tuesday, Meta and Marcia are not on duty this morning, but they are a vital part of this operation. While Angie cleans up my table 1 want to say that the other workers that should be acknowledged are David, Kenny, Jason, Tracy, Joy, Linda 8., Evelyn, Lisa, Lynn and Flora. If you want a nice view of the lake while you dine head out to G's Dockside, at Koontz Lake, for nice dining fare. Al’s Diner is also open for three meals a day. The area has plenty of eating places, so go and enjoy. I canned another 14 quarts of tomatoes and I need to can about 2 bushels of peaches yet. The beans are just now coming on. Roy has a little slow in planting them. It is really a blessing in disguise for a change. I want to thank the personnel for putting up with me this morning. It’s off to the tomato patch to fill all the requests for them. Sincerely, Nedra Williams NORTH LIBERTY NEWS By Gladys Sheneman Andrea Wharton, Jim and Amy and friend, Brian, are here from Atlanta, GA visiting Bob and Dorothy Knecht and family and Carol and Velma Wharton and family. Jim and Nancy Mcßride just returned from a thirteen day trip to Alaska. They went from Seattle to Vancouver and traveled by motor coach and train. They took a three day cruise and saw many sights and wonders all along the way and home. Recent weekend guests of Bob and Donna Balsley were Scott and Tanya Johnson and their five week old son, Nathan Scott. A spaghetti supper was held in their honor on Saturday evening. Other guests were Kathryn Hevel, Allyssa Elkins and Vaughn Balsley. Sunday was spent at the Heston Museum riding the trains and a picnic dinner. Nathan loved the train whistles and riding the train in the arms of Grandma Donna. Our sympathy this week goes to the family of Jim Fair, Sr., 90, who passed away in Memorial Hospital on Monday, Aug. 12. He leaves his wife, Glee, 3 daughters and 6 sons and their families, besides a host of other relatives and friends. He was well known in our community since he owned the Fair Oil Co. for many years but now retired and living in Florida. They were here visiting when he had his heart attack. Charles and Helen Hensley, Wayne and Sandy Tumbieson, Jackie and Steve Arnold, of Osceola, Lydia Mae Eaterdav and granddaughter, Lisa, and Barry Hensley, of Richmond, Virginia

just returned home from a fishing trip at Clam Lake, Siren, Wisconsin. All together they caught about 1000 fish. When they weren't fishing, they enjoyed riding the pontoon boat. They also visited the House on the Rock near Madison, Wis. before returning home. Saturday afternoon, Aug. 24, will be an Antique Car Show and Ice Cream Social at Miller’s Merry Manor, and the residents will be entertained for their birthday party by the Fun Follies, of LaPorte. There are 13 residents celebrating birthdays this month. You are welcome, so come and join in the fun. Well, we have been praying for rain and we got it on Friday night, right after the "New Creation” band had played for about thirty minutes at the North Liberty Festival. All went well till Saturday noon when we got another down pour, but it turned out to be a lovely evening for the “Family Affair Polka Band" and “Little Roger’s Dixieland Giants.” A large crowd attended. The dolls were auctioned off and brought $360.00 and the proceeds will go to the Salvation Army. On Sunday, the “Misbehavin Band" entertained at 1:00 p.m. and the Fun Follies of LaPorte started at 5:00 p.m. and would you believe, it started to rain again. They went on with their show anyhow, even though some got their feathers wet. It turned out to be another great festival. Winners of the Potato Bake-off contest at the festival were Melba Reese, of Tyner, with her potato dinner rolls with a prize of $25.00. Second place went to Julie Holtz, of North Liberty, with her sweet potato delight, winning SIO.OO. Third prize winner of SIO.OO was Jana Burkholder, of Nappanee, with her sweet potato casserole. I understand Calvin Kronk won the Pepsi 2-man rubber raft, which was the first prize of the Lions Club raffle. All I can say, that if it keeps on raining like it did all day Monday, he may need to use that raft to get out of his driveway. I am told that two of my neighbors lost their sheep over the weekend, which looked so nice out on their lawns. Well, 1 didn’t have any sheep to lose, but I lost a hub cap off my car on Friday, so if anyone finds one between here and Walkerton, please call your news reporter. Thanks. The North Liberty United Methodist Church, along with their pastor, James Stansell, will be in charge of the 8:30 a.m. service at Peppermint Hili in Potato Creek Park on Sunday, August 25. I had a surprise Saturday morning when I received a telephone call from Faith (Platz) Snodgrass, of South Bend, calling to tell me she was related to the Royce and Ort family. She was a first cousin to Ven its Cunningham's husband. Her and her husband drove to North Judson last Wednesday and through the telephone directory found the Cunningham’s address and looked them up. They had a good time reminiscing and then all went out for dinner and then visited another relative, Inez Ketchmark who is 90 years old and still lives alone. They also visited a cemetery before returning home and they now plan to get together for more information about their families. They all lived in and around North Liberty and many are buried here. Richard Heim is also a cousin, as his mother was an Ort and Evelyn Runyan is Faith’s daughter, who lives in North Liberty. Faith was born and raised here and moved to South Bend in the 1950’5. She told me so much, I couldn’t begin to write the half of it down, but I’m glad I was able to help Venita find some of her relatives that really knew about them. If you would like more information, please contact Faith Snodgrass, 23011 Drexal Ave., South Bend, IN 46628. Norma Patrick and Gladys (continued on Page 11)