Superintendent Feb 2
Posted by willardr2 on February 2, 2007
Life is returning to normal around Willard R-II. If you have not heard about the scheduled make-up days due to the ice storm that would be a good discussion to have at the dinner table this weekend. If you have High School kids and it is hard to pin them down to the dinner table, you can check out the days on the district web site. Due to the ice storm it forced us to cancel our regularly scheduled January meeting of the Board of Education. We did have a special meeting and discussed a few items. Consensus was made at the meeting to explore placing a bond issue before the patrons on the June election. Willard continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. I am sure that some of you will be asking? Didn’t we just build a new high school??? We have to remember that to build a building we must think two years down the road. It also can take up to six months to prepare before construction with the process of architects, purchase of land, and bidding contractors. During the time since we bid the new High School in 2004 and began the building process, the district has grown approximately 350 kids. If the district continues to grow at the same rate (Which is hard to believe that it will not!) we will add 125-150 kids over the next two years. We must face facts that in order to keep up with growth we will be building a new school to open every 3-4 years. If the Board of Education does move forward to place this issue on the ballot it would be a “No Tax Increase” bond issue. That simply means that the levy would remain the same, which would cause no increase in the amount individuals pay on a year to year basis. I love the items which we are considering including in the bond. The major items include:
- New elementary school in the South part of our district
- New Vocational Agricultural building directly behind the High School
- New Gym at Willard South Elementary
- New locker room facilities at the Football Field Complex
The district will be announcing informational meetings to help inform patrons about this upcoming issue. The district will again be asking for your support. I am truly glad that this time we will be able to ask for your support without a raise in your yearly taxes. Have a great weekend!
Kent
Dr. Kent E. Medlin Superintendent of Schools
