Proponents of two high schools to address board

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Issues related to the construction of a new high school are likely to dominate Monday night’s discussion at the Jeffersion City School Board’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

The board is expected to convene at 6 p.m. at the Dix Road Educational Center, 204 Dix Road, in the center’s conference room, with a closed session set earlier at 4:30 p.m. in the building’s reading room.

Rod Burnett and Dan Ortmeyer, spokesmen for the group “Citizens for 2 Public High Schools,” will be addressing the board Monday with ideas about their group’s preference for two high schools, as opposed to the single-school proposal the board is currently advancing.

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The school board is also slated to discuss potential ballot language for the April 2 election.

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JCsleeper 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Thanks to these guys for bringing out an alternative view.

wow 5 months, 2 weeks ago

I'm for the two seperate High Schools.....but in the right order. First build the 1st new highschool in an area where all the athletic accommdations can be provided. However the priortiy must be that the school is built with the latest tecnological gizmo's that can be easily replaced without rebuilding the entire school. ACADEMICS MUST BE THE PRIORITY! All sports fields will be on campus and accessible to every student regardless of if they are on the school sport's team. After all some student's just might enjoy a pick up game of baseball, basketball, soccer, football, whatever during gym class. Heaven knows that activity could certainly benefit many of them. My suggestion is that this school be placed on the west side of town. After this school is up a running, then the second school can be built on the east side...and the same accodations must be provided. Now in the mean time.....Simmonson should be closed NOW before someone get's hurt, because honestly speaking that place is one incident away from something bad happening...the building is not safe!!!. In 2013 all 9th grader's should be attending the current high school. Yes it will be crowded, but it is much safer to have those student's out of the Simmonson building. It will also get more PARENTS involved in what they should have been involved in long ago...which is making sure this school/student are dong what they're suppose to be doing....and that is providing an atmosphere coducive to properly educating student's and the student's are actually learning. That extra attention will be more than enough to keep the power's that be on the correct scheule to get the newer school's properly built and doen so in a timely fashion. As for the Alterantive School...I'm all for no child being left behind. I also for giving a kid a break. But I cannot support putting criminally violent kids in an enviornement where they cause havoc. I'm not sure how to do it...but we've got to get these Student's attending the Alternative School to understand...that these high school years PERMANENTLY EFFECT THER ADULT LIVES. So they had better start getting things straightened out now!

JCLifer 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Some good ideas. Simonsen was overdue for the wrecking ball 40 years ago. East side will always get the shaft in this town. West is thought to be the best. East is the least. That is the understood mantra when any public agency spends money around here.

wow 5 months, 2 weeks ago

JC Lifer...I'm not into that E vs W thing...it's just simple common sense. Here's my thought...and it's only my thoughts. We need two HS's...and since there is currenty one on the eastside...let that one remain for now. I say close Simmonsen in the interest of student safety...move those students to the current HS. Yes it will be crowded for a bit....BUT.. don't delay building a new HS on the west side...ONLY BECAISE THERE IS NOTHING OUT THIS WAY AND THERE IS PLENTY OF LAND TO DO THE BUILDING THE RIGHT WAY. Once this school is up and running correctly all student's living in the westside of town will be transferred to the new school, which will reduce the numbers at the current HS. Then the second new HS can be built. I'm from the east coast and have been living here for a bit. My child graduated from JCHS...and my family likes this area. Since moving here we've learned to fish, clean what is caught..and cook em up good. Not into hunting...but have plenty of friends who supply us with plenty of wild game. When we take the stuff home on visit's, our family eat's good and is amazed at how living on the land is so rewarding. So...this is how my family currently see's thing's. We ned to do the best that we can to make JC better. We don't really want it transformed into a major city, but we do feel that JC needs to be modernized. Our schools need updating...that alone provides the younger crowd with the opportunities to get the best education possible, so they can go out and become leaders of the world. My first introduction to Mo. was through a young Army Private who was so proud of this state. One day we were about to move out on an everyday mission, no war time thing involved, but it was a military manuver. I was giving my speal to the men and this young Pvt delivered the most motivational statement at the time. My statement was...trooper's we've got to do this and I'll take care of you all the way. At that time the young trooper looked at me and said..."I'm from Jopilin Missouri...you gotta SHOW ME!!!" I've been retired for some time and I still remember that moment today. It is something that stayed with me throughout my entire military career and still my life today...."Lip service don't cut it", So let's make the two HS thing happen....if ya need motivation, think of the young Mo. Pvt...or just remeber the state motto.....yeah that's right..."Show-Me"!!!!!!

Just_a_Mom 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Allow us to vote on a two high school model. Let the voter decide what is cost prohibitive. Communities all over have multiple high schools, both public and private, and the business people determine how to distribute their advertising dollars. Continue to let them do their jobs. As far as the argument of creating a have and have-not situation (new facility vs. current JCHS), that happens all the time, too. In fact, didn't that happen in the JCPS district when Pioneer Trail was opened and won't it happen again when the new, proposed elementary is built?? There will be some that are attracted to the shiny new facility while others will prefer the tradition of the old. Put the two high school issue to rest by allowing the voter to do their job. If it passes, proceed down that route. If it doesn't, the current proposal is a great Plan B and you'll have my support.

Timothy 5 months, 1 week ago

you have to give these board members credit about learning some things from the past mistakes of others.

A 2/3 majority used to be required to raise school taxes. The vote to change that only required a simple majority.

The council raised taxes for an ambulance service that the voters turned down. That didn't stop them from keeping the moey and spending it on something else.

This board has chosen to;

Spend money on land for "their" plan before funding was secured for development.
Sell existing facilities to eliminate the 2 HS option.
Allow no discussion or input unless it supports "their" plan.

This board is excited about spending ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLARS of our tax money. It is incomprehensible to me that people can not think taxpayers should have no say in the direction of the education of our children.

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