School/county
officials may
continue
center discussions
But
not much optimism for agreement at this point
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
A proposed partnership between the Platte County R-3
School District and the Platte County Commissioners for
a community center is still on the minds of those involved.
During a board of education meeting Thursday, members
voiced concerns over the community center that has been
proposed as a partnership between Platte County and the
school district.
The proposition has been the center of discussion for
some time. School board members agreed Thursday to keep
working on the partnership with county officials. However,
if a decision can't be reached soon both sides anticipate
scrapping the idea.
"We need to keep our eye on the ultimate goal. We
need to offer something to other kids in the area. The
commissioners need to be aware of that," Lee Ann
Fadler, school board vice president, said.
Carey Rolofson, president, agreed with Fadler.
"We are going to do what is right for our district.
He have to be able to trust the county commissioners.
We haven't seen trust," Rolofson said.
Board members agreed to invite county commissioners to
the September school board meeting.
Commissioners were not present at Thursday's meeting.
When contacted by The Landmark, Second District County
Commissioner Steve Wegner declined the opportunity to
discuss comments made by school board members.
An 8-lane swimming pool has been the heart of the controversial
issue. Board of education members announced they would
agree to the partnership only if the center contained
an 8-lane competitive indoor cold-water pool, a fitness
center, an indoor walking/running track, a regulation
size practice gym and six outdoor tennis courts.
If agreed upon, the center would be constructed near
the Northland Career Center on the school's main campus
along Hwy. 92 in Platte City.
County officials have announced they will pursue other
land options if necessary. The county has offered $6 million
to the joint project with the school, with that money
coming from the county's half cent sales tax for parks.
Commissioners are concerned the facility R-3 has in mind
would be too costly.
Recently the county secured an option to purchase a tract
of land in Platte City that potentially could serve as
a site for a center. That piece of land is off Running
Horse Road in Platte City near the Oak Creek subdivision.
In other issues, the school board approved the increase
of school lunch prices.
The increase is the first in seven years. During the
2001-2002 school year a deficit of approximately $30,000
was shown in the lunch program.
One reason for the deficit was due to an increase in
salaries because of the extra help needed last year to
move food to and from a temporary refrigerator/freezer.
Although that salary is not incorporated in this year's
salaries, the accounting change is still ongoing.
The increase is also attributed to salary increases and
an additional high school lunch line clerk was also added.
Elementary lunches will increase 15 cents from $1.20
to $1.35; middle school and high school student's lunches
will increase 15 cents from $1.30 to $1.45; adult lunches
will increase 15 cents from $1.60 to $1.75.
Elementary, middle school and high school breakfast prices
will increase 10 cents from 75 cents to 85 cents; adult
breakfast prices will increase from $1 to $1.10.
A tax rate hearing was tabled by board members until
Aug. 22. The item was tabled because information concerning
the hearing was not made available in time for the meeting.
Board members will hold the hearing during a special
meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the central office.
Board members Karen Wagoner and Dave Holland were appointed
as NCC Advisory Representatives.
Board members also accepted a letter of resignation from
Platte City High School secretary Linda Jenkins.
The next regular scheduled meeting of the board is Sept.
17.
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