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| Consolidation Recommendation Discussed at Special District 217 Meeting |
POSTED 10:35 a-m 2/5/10 Abingdon residents interested in learning more about a recommendation for District 217 to consolidate with the Avon and Bushnell-Prairie City school districts got some information and were encouraged to ask questions during a special school board meeting.
The Abingdon District 217 Board of Education met Thursday night in the middle/high school auditorium to present a shorter version of a slide show that three University of Illinois at Springfield professors presented to a large gathering a little over a week ago in Avon as they released the results of a feasibility study. The professors conducted the study on behalf of the Avon, Abingdon and Bushnell-Prairie City school boards - each of which approved moving forward with the study last year.
The study recommends the three school districts consolidate. The earliest that question could be placed on the ballot for the public to decide would be November if all of the entities involved prior to that stage agreed to move forward in that direction.
Abingdon Superintendent Dr. Tami Roskamp discussed various aspects of the study, including its recommendation regarding where students would attend school.
"The high school would be at Bushnell due to the space and two gyms and an all-weather track," Roskamp said. "The junior high and middle school would be utilized at Abingdon as a middle school and that would use all their space plus it would be able to expand the electives like industrial arts, home (economics), art and business. The elementary schools would remain in each hometown due to the age of the students and the space available."
Other parts of the study Roskamp talked about included student enrollment numbers in the three districts, the projections through the 2014-15 school year, tax rates, transportation and incentive money from the state totaling around $4.4 million. The public was encouraged to write questions down on cards for Roskamp to answer, which was the same format used during last month's presentation in Avon.
Roskamp said, in response to a question, that it'll probably be next month before the three school boards get a feel for what the residents in those districts think about the recommendation to consolidate.
Abingdon Superintendent Dr. Tami Roskamp gives a slide presentation to members of the public at Thursday night's special District 217 School Board meeting in the auditorium at Abingdon Middle/High School. The presentation was about a feasibility study recommendation by Midwest School Consultants to consolidate the Abingdon, Avon and Bushnell-Prairie City school districts.
The seven Abingdon School Board members listen as superintendent Dr. Tami Roskamp talks about the results of a feasibility study that recommends District 217 consolidate with the Bushnell-Prairie City and Avon school districts
(WGIL News Story and Photos by Mike Perry) |
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| 02 05 10 by Newsroom |
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