By Kristine Thomas
Understanding it is time to make some decisions about the future of Eugene Field Elementary School, the Silver Falls School board members met March 17 to discuss the recommendations made by the Eugene Field Eugene Field Facility Task Force.
The primary recommendations are to close the school by the 2015-16 school year and to place a bond on the November ballot.
After two hours of discussion, the board agreed it needs to have a second work session scheduled for Monday, April 7, 7 p.m. at the district office, 802 Schlador St. The meeting is open to the public, however, the board will not be taking public comment nor will it take any final action. Action on the recommendation is possible at the school board meeting April 14.
As board members began discussing the recommendations, they realized they needed more information before reaching a conclusion.
“There is a lot to do here,” David Beeson said. “We have a lot of information to process.”
Although no votes took place, the board members agreed Eugene Field School needs to be closed.
“We all know there are a ton of issues with the building and a ton of issues with the site,” board chairman Tim Roth said.
“I think at this point closing the school makes the most sense,” Julie Norris said. “What to do next is the big question.”
Norris and Beeson both said they don’t think it’s a good idea to set a deadline on when to close the school.
Board members realize they need have a firm plan in place so once they make a decision the community will know what will happen each step of the way.
Aware the voters would need to pass a bond to relocate Eugene Field students, board members wanted to make sure the bond is one the community will agree to while also being a wise investment for the next 50 years.
While the task force recommended moving Eugene Field students to the Schlador Street campus, Erv Stadeli told the board that idea makes as much sense as “rubbing a cat’s hair backwards.”
He told board members Schlador Street and the scale of its facilities would be better suited for the junior high. The fourth through sixth grade students currently at Robert Frost would best fit Mark Twain, and the kindergarten to third grade students should move to Robert Frost.
Tom Buchholz made it clear if Schlador Street campus were used again the two- and three-story portions of the building would be removed.
The board members asked Superintendent Andy Bellando to see what it would cost to make Schlador a junior high for seventh and eighth grade students.
Owen Von Flue said the independent question the board members need to answer is – Is the building safe for students?
“And if we decide the building isn’t safe, we got to find another option,” Von Flue said.
The board also weighed if a bond measure solely for Eugene Field School replacement would be supported by the whole community. The board also discussed the safety issues at Butte Creek, Mark Twain, Scotts Mills and Central Howell schools and whether to ask taxpayers for funds to address those issues.
Roth said the question needs to be what is best for the students.
As the board ponders all the questions before it, Norris said there needs to be a decision and the community’s support.
“People want a concrete direction,” Norris said.
