No new construction slated in school bond

Maleah Philips, Maranda Evans and Tiffany Heishman participate in an Iraqi War debate during Beth Orr's Cultures class. School leaders think building updates will help keep students focused on educational activities, such as class debates, and encourage more families to bring their students to our school.

by Natalie Kirton and Rachel Ranfeld

For years, the Montezuma School Board has been contemplating a large renovation of the school buildings, which would include updates, fixing various problems and nuisances, and giving the school an overall fresh look.

 “Anytime you build something it only has a certain amount of life to it. It is a physical structure that can only last so long,” said Superintendent Dave Versteeg. “Parts of our building were built in 1928. They’re almost 100 years old, and it is just time to update, time to replace. We need to really start putting money into fixing some things.” 

Some of the changes that the Board intends to make are mainly plumbing, mechanical and electrical in nature. One of the main boilers could fail at any time, many hallways have dim lighting and most plumbing in the bathrooms is old and rusted. In other places, tiles are cracked and coming away from the floor, there are stains in the ceiling, clocks are not synchronized and there is no working bell system.

Because the September 2010 school bond issue did not pass, there will be another voting opportunity on April 4 asking voters for a decrease in the amount of money borrowed. Instead of previous $11 million proposal for the project, the School Board will be asking for $8.5 million. This cut in money means there will be a cut in the amount of work to be put into the school if the issue passes.

“There will be no new construction, no new hallway, no new stairwells, no revamping of the junior high. Those are the main things that eliminated about a third of the money,” said Versteeg. 

The School Board hopes to encourage more parents of students who are in school to vote since only 35 percent of them voted during the last election. The school will be sending out letters and e-mails to parents, informing them of the election dates and times. 

If you have questions, please call your current school board members: Pete Ross, Steve Audas, Doug Hoksbergen, Doug Johnston and Vince Johnson, or Versteeg at 641-623-5121.