Teutopolis School Board Expected to Vote This Month on High School Project

The consensus of the Teutopolis Board of Education at a special meeting Thursday night is that there will be a vote later this month on a project to construct a nine-classroom addition to their high school building.

There also seemed to be a consensus that the vote won't be unanimous.

The Board appears ready to proceed with the construction project, which will include the demolition of the 1929 portion of the building. 

A renovation of that original portion of the building has also been much-considered, but the cost of each option appears to be similar. The construction project would also allow for improved heating and air conditioning in the remaining structure.

The likelihood of a split vote on the matter isn't necessarily based on the merits of the project. 

Board member Leon Gobczynski at this point is adamant that the question should be the subject of a referendum. The plan, though, is to issue health and life safety bonds to finance the project. Issuing those bonds would not be subject to a vote by the public.

Gobczynski argued Thursday that if the other Board members are so certain that it's the right plan, that a referendum should pass.

Board member Troy Ozenkoski, who has already said he will make the motion to proceed with the construction project, points out that there are various factors that could lead to the defeat of a referendum. Those include a certain percentage of citizens who would never support an increase in their taxes, a low voter turnout that would mean those most passionate about the issue would likely carry the day, and "misinformation" spread by opponents of a plan that could harm the effort's chances of success.

Gobczynski contends that everyone should have the chance to vote on the question; Ozenkoski argues that board members are elected to make decisions such as this one.

The Board meeting is set for Monday evening, September 24.

The Board Thursday also discussed the district's grading scale, curriculum, the evaluation of administrators and non-tenured teachers, gender balance in the teaching staff especially efforts to find more male teachers at the grade school level, and the need for a handbook review. Board members also discussed a succession plan for some longtime employees, particularly in the transportation and maintenance departments. There was also discussion about the length of the school day.

The curriculum discussion focused on making more learning opportunitities available to top-ability students, especially at the high school level, in addition to attention to those who struggle. There was also hope that efforts could be increased to make for a seamless transition for students from one grade to the next to lessen repetition and challenge youngsters. The idea of adding a curriculum director was raised to help with coordination as to what is taught from one grade to the next. There was concern about the cost of such an addition, but some support for the idea if it could be shown that such a hire would lead to better learning.