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What can I say about the school board meeting except here we go again…Another area of property was brought up for consideration…the 17 acres that is on the other side of the bridge (near track) going toward the present elementary school… Ya’ll, will it ever end…I really don’t think so. I do not know the lay of the land well…but I do know there is a creek right there…and that area has always had problems with flooding…maybe the flood issue has been stopped…but I bet that is flood zone or flood plan land… So, off we go looking at another area.
Basically the architects said it was not feasible to build the school at the “in town” location. When I saw the plan on the screen, it was pretty obvious that building there is not a good idea. We would be locking ourselves in with practically no room for growth…A traffic study is to be conducted…but from what I saw “on the screen,” there is no way the parking and traffic can be maintained in that location. Now, what I saw on the screen and what some board members saw is probably totally different…but I am giving you my opinion.
I have always wanted the new elementary built in town…but not after tonight…to me, the writing was on the wall…I’m sure others see the situation differently.
As usual, (I’m pretty outdone), we had issues with the Internet dropping which caused the live stream to start and stop. The meeting is on the site for viewing but it is in a bunch of clips because every time the Internet dropped…a new screen was formed…with that mess being said…the most interesting part of the meeting is toward the end. The meeting is worth watching even if it is a pain to watch! I will not give up…we are gonna figure this out.
When the money is discussed everything takes on a different look! Ya’ll, we need to pray for guidance and wisdom…wisdom to listen to the people who are trained to give advice about the school location. Hey, the architects don’t care where we build the building…and as we all know…you can build anything…it just might cost a lot more…nor be the best place…but they are glad to design a school for us in town…I appreciate the architects! They actually seem to have the interest of the children in mind….our entire board does…but I think sometimes we will not bend just to prove a point that may be a wrong point. Sure, my garage could have been connected to my house if I had wanted to spend $100,000 more…now how dumb would that be…people, look…listen…study…see what you think. I wish the video was perfect…I wish my memory was perfect…but neither one is perfect…I have material that was shared at the meeting that I will be posting during the weekend…Just say it ain’t so…another property…please!…when will it end…
(Note from Sue…ya’ll, I really am sorry if my spelling and sentence structure doesn’t make much sense…but I just got too tired and the brain isn’t clicking the best!!! I will write more info Friday..thanks for putting up with me!)
I do appreciate your continuing coverage of the Simpson County School Board Meetings and the perspective you bring to the discussions, especially surrounding the site selection for a new Magee Elementary School.
I also recognize your frustration as well as many others trying to endure this extended site selection process; however, the problem lies in the fact that there was little time spent early on developing key site criteria. Conducting a thorough “due diligence” review, i.e. location (not just initial costs but expected on-going operating costs as well as safety/security risks), traffic issues (important to the proper functioning of the school and safety of the children), and some space for expansion. Getting this decision “right” the first time is critical for our community and children. I had rather the School Board spend a little more time at this stage than trying to correct mistakes in the future or learn to live with potentially flawed results. I believe a review of the 17 acres of property you noted as to its feasibility from whether it is in a flood zone should only require 1-2 days and adds no time to the site selection process. Let’s understand the viability of this property and potential costs before simply accepting the “original;” Goodwater Road option. We do not yet know one significant potential cost associated that property, i.e. Goodwater Road capability to handle the school traffic and especially 2-way bus traffic.The cost to widen Goodwater Road from its current 40′ easement could be as much as $1,500,000, an amount that has not been budgeted and potentially increases the number of modular structures in lieu of permanent buildings being used as part of the New Elementary School. The other traffic option, rather than widen Goodwater Road is to route the school buses that would take them along Hwy 49 road frontage turning onto 11th Avenue between Walgreen’s and Wendy’s (not a safe intersection).
As for your comments regarding the Architects, I would contend that their roles should be to provide assistance in not just providing drawings of buildings but working to find other options or potential solutions. I wish I had seen a little more creativity in the “options/solutions” area during their presentation.
Our County School Board has limited funds available to construct a new school facility. I recognize that our County School District and Board also have no prior experience developing new school facilities away from existing sites. Standalone facilities are more complex since you are dealing with utilities, traffic flow, support service requirements, and allowance for future expansion. Without the benefit of prior such experience, additional time is required to gather data review it and then make a final decision. They are trying to get it right!
I do agree with you as for a need for prayer, especially that the right decision will be made for our children and community.
I know many people are frustrated with the selection process, but this is a major project involving millions of $$$$$$. I would much prefer that the board take their time(as long as it takes), review all options, weigh the pros and cons, and make the correct decision, rather than try to rush the process and regret it for the next 40 years.