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NEVC annexation issue a hot topic
With the November election just around the corner, there is one issue in Vernon County that is drawing a lot of voter attention. Annexing the Northeast Vernon County R-1 School District into the Nevada R-5 School District has polarized the citizens of the Schell City and Walker communities in that part of the county.
The annexation question on the November ballot is a new twist on an on-going issue. Voters were asked to pass a tax levy in 2008 which would have funded a new school; it failed. Twice this year voters chose to not pass Proposition S, another tax levy that would have been used to finance a new school consolidating the Schell City and Walker campuses in a new facility near Harwood.
An NEVC school issue is back on the ballot this fall; however, this time it's in the form of a proposition to annex the NEVC district into the Nevada school system.
After the proposition to pass a tax levy to build a new school failed the second time, the opponents of that levy circulated a petition to get the annexation proposition on the ballot. The required signatures were gathered and now the options for NEVC are few.
The spirited public debate caused by this issue has been the subject of more letters to the editor written to the Nevada Daily Mail than any topic in recent memory. People on both sides of the issue want what they want and do not want those on the other side to choose for them.
Some of the reasons for the heated debate are financial. Supporters of annexation say a tax levy and a new school, or repairing the current buildings, are not sensible for several financial reasons and that annexation will present the children of the NEVC district more opportunities and challenges that the NEVC district does not offer.
Opponents to the annexation argue that since building a new school isn't an option any more and given the condition of the school buildings in the district, renovation of the existing buildings is the best choice for educating the children of the district, now and in the future. They oppose being annexed and closing the schools for many reasons, one of which is because they believe it will cause irreparable harm to the towns and residents' sense of community.
Since voters have sent a clear message that passing a tax levy is out of the question, and there is not going to be a new school, the district decided to sell the 40-acre building site it owns near Harwood. The Northeast Vernon County R-1 Board of Education opened sealed bids for the 40 acres of land during the regular meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 19.
The high bid of $92,000, submitted by Tony Crocker, was accepted by the board during a closed session vote, but officials said some details would still need to be addressed. Two other bids were received; one for the amount of $80,000; the other, for the amount of $80,135.
The land had been set aside for the construction of a new school, but voters in the district defeated three attempts to fund a new school and the board opted to sell the property. We're focusing on renovation now," according to Charles Naas, NEVC superintendent.
The district also is "trying to cut operating costs," said Naas. He said that even though the district's buildings are outdated they are still usable. They are safe, according to Naas; but they need to be repaired and renovated to make them more efficient and economical to operate. Proceeds from the sale of the land will be used to renovate the school, according to Naas.
The NEVC Kids First group has thrown their support behind keeping the NEVC district intact. The Kids First committee and its sub-committees have been avid supporters of the school district and campaigned vigorously to pass Proposition S. Many of the members of the committee were students in the district when they were young. Though they couldn't garner enough support to pass the tax levy, Kids First chairperson Alberta Hays thinks they have more support now. "It's a different issue this time," she said. "We have gathered support that we didn't have before; we're trying to save our school."
Kids First also is looking at ways to help the school if the proposition fails. They, like the board of education, are looking into alternative sources of funding and ways to improve the school building and save the district money at the same time. Kids First members have held fundraising events; and regardless of the outcome of the election, the money they have raised will go to the school, according to Dorothy Palmer. "We're going to do whatever needs done," she said. "Were fighting to keep the school and family involvement in the community."
The group wants to hold on to its community resource, and strongly defends the quality of education, smaller class sizes and other aspects of education the small district has to offer that the groups see as beneficial. Some of the students, too, have defended their school through letters to the editor, submitted through Kids First, with permission of parents.
The Patrons for Quality Education is the group of concerned citizens that fought against the passage of Proposition S and circulated the petition to have annexation placed on the ballot. The group sees annexation as the best option for solving the NEVC building problems and properly educating the students of NEVC. The group thinks its time to get out of the 80-year-old buildings. Kent Abele said, "I understand that people are passionate about their school."
Abele said that common sense says that it is going to take "big money" to fix the buildings. and that if the NEVC board has an alternative plan "that's economically feasable, we'd like to see it." Abele also said, "we're not trying to undermine the education," of the students, adding that any sound decisions will be supported.
Greg Wortman has similar views on the proposition. Wortman said, "I want the best education the district can afford."
Wortman thinks that increased student opportunities and challenges available in the R-5 district are good reasons for annexation. He also thinks the larger tax base of the Nevada R-5 district offers security for and worries there could be further government cuts to education spending. If the proposition fails in November, Wortman said he would be willing to support the district renovation efforts if they are able to verify it can be made "safe and sound for the money available."
Voters will decide in November whether they want the district annexed like some of the other smaller districts in the county, or whether they want the NEVC school to remain a viable educational facility. Either way. the students will be in the building for the remainder of this school year and the next, because if it passes, the annexation is not effective until July 2012.
The school is still going to need some repair and renovation along the way. In the meantime, the faculty and staff at NEVC will keep doing their job, Naas said. "We're all about teaching and learning not politicking."
Along with the NEVC annexation proposition there are several state races, three constitutional amendments, two propositions -- one relating to earnings taxes and the Puppy Mill Cruelty issue -- on the Nov. 2 ballot. State auditor Susan Montee is being challenged, the United States Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Kit Bond is sought by no less than four candidates and the 4th District Congressional seat held by Ike Skelton is also being challenged by several candidates. Barney Fisher, the 125th District State Representative is running unopposed as are six office holders in Vernon County government.