We are all familiar with some of the fictional tales of individuals who are granted three magic wishes by a genie, and each wish brings unintended consequences to their lives.
What is the largest cost to the school with no benefit to the school whatsoever? This year, the school is paying out $305,030 and next year it will probably be around ($317,140)). This large expenditure is what the E-B School District pays for 55 public school students who live in this district and open enroll in other districts. Presently, we are fortunate that this loss is slightly offset by students who live in other school districts and open enroll at E-B. This could easily change.
If the E-B School System is no longer attractive to other families outside the school district, then we can expect open enrollment into the district to drop. If other schools outside of this district look more attractive to families within this district, then we can expect open enrollment out of the district to increase.
If the E-B School System is not as attractive as other schools in this area, then young families with school age kids who are moving to this general area for employment will choose to live in another school district.
Could the present plan of moving the middle school classes from Blakesburg to the north wing of the high school have a detrimental effect on open enrollment? The older Eddyville alumni who attended junior high when it was at the high school say that it was not a problem for them While that may be true, others do not believe that 7th and 8th grade kids who are just beginning to enter adolescence should be mixed with high school students. Just the perception that this mixing of students is harmful will be enough for some parents to enroll their kids in other schools. Also, if school facilities appear to be crowded, this may be enough for parents to enroll their kids in other schools. As the saying goes, “perception is everything.” Also, Blakesburg parents would be more likely to consider enrolling their middle school students in another nearby school district.
This was one of the reasons why the 15-member Cost Savings Committee felt that if the middle school was going to be located at the high school campus, then it should be well planned. The committee recommended a new and separate building. This would not be a large building, but it could be expanded, if necessary, in the future. The building would be large enough to house the basic classrooms for the middle school students with adequate restrooms, locker space, etc. Other facilities at the high school could be shared – such as the lunch room, gyms, and band room. The Committee believed that if the middle school was going to be moved, then it should be to a better facility than what presently exists. The new building could be paid for out of the cash reserve, PPEL and the one-cent state sales tax (these are funds which cannot be used to offset direct education expenses, but can be used for new facilities, renovation or remodeling. In fact, the Albia school district is improving its school facilities this year to the tune of seven million dollars using PPEL and sales tax money to pay for it over a period of time).
The committee members believe in careful and thoughtful planning. They believe that a plan made in haste (such as the present plan) with the stated purpose of saving money could have unintended and very costly consequences.
There is much truth in some old sayings. Be CAREFUL what you wish for; or “haste makes waste.”