Our Opinion: Schools' wisely hold off on expansion plan

The Jefferson City School District made the right call in holding off on a controversial plan to borrow money to build two more schools in the district.

The district had considered plans to ease pressure at the elementary/middle schools. The leading plan was to build two fifth- and sixth-grade centers, one near each of the city's middle schools.

The district had planned to get voter approval at the April municipal election to use bonding to borrow money for the $65 million project.

Superintendent Larry Linthacum cited several reasons for pausing the plan. He said more time is needed to evaluate possible solutions. Also, much has occurred in the district over the past couple years, and the district wants "to focus on student achievement and behaviors, literacy, culture and climate while continuing to find a solution to overcrowding."

In the meantime, Linthacum plans to gather more input, assess the district's long-and short-term facility needs and gather more data on student populations, achievement and discipline in local fifth- and sixth-grade centers.

Holding off on the plan was a good decision on several fronts:

- The district's plan included precious little time for public input. While a Facilities Focus Group studied the issue last year, their meetings were not open to the public. They should have been. The district planned to hold two public forums, then potentially put the issue on the ballot within days later. That's not nearly enough time for public vetting before putting a $65 million plan before voters.

- Some people have expressed concern East Elementary School, with a high percentage of minority students from low-income families, continues to be crowded. A modest renovation took place there in recent years, but eastside residents have complained for years that the school gets passed over when major plans are discussed.

- The issue would have been a hard-sell in April. Voters in 2017 agreed to hefty property increases to pay for a new high school and to renovate the old high school. The ribbon-cuttings for those projects just took place just a week ago. Even though it's a no-tax bond issue, it's still a lot of money. It's too much, too soon.

We commend the district for holding off on a possible bonding plan. When it revives the issue, we hope it allots more time for public forums and other input.

News Tribune