School board continues to push for new facility

Financing for a new elementary school continues to be a top priority for the Sidney school board.

“During the last 12 months we’ve got input from staff and administrators on what our needs will be for a replacement elementary school,” said school board president Tom Von Seggern. “The board sees this time with the low interest rates as a time to keep pursuing improvements to our school when the interest costs will be down.”

The district hosted public forums at North Elementary and Cheyenne County Community Center on Nov. 25 and 26 to hear input from members of the public about the possibility of a new school.

“We got input on location and safety and space requirements,” Von Seggern said.

At a Jan. 7 school board workshop, members received updated pricing information from the project manager and architect for the new school.

“The schools are not gonna get any newer and the problems are not gonna go away,” said school board member Steve Matoon. “With the interest rates, it’s the appropriate time to try and proceed again.”

School board member Randy Miller made a motion to hold another bond election for a new elementary school during the county primary elections in May of this year for the amount of $16.95 million. Having the bond vote during the primary will be cheaper than holding a special election.

In a special election held Sept. 10, 2013, a school bond set at nearly $16 million was voted down by a narrow margin of 105 votes.

The bond would finance a new K-4 school, consolidating three of the system’s current schools, the oldest of which was originally constructed in 1929. The school board cited difficulty with installing new technology in the older buildings, the newer of which were built in the 1950s, as one of the reasons students needed a new structure.

Some of the most significant concerns of those voting against the bond seemed to be higher property taxes and the proposed location. The school board is sticking to its goal to have a new school in the next three to five years.

Because of the tight vote, citizens were obviously closely split on the issue. Those rallying around the “Vote Yes” campaign last fall believed that Sidney’s children need a newer school, equipped with modern technology and more space to facilitate better learning. Those opposed to the campaign thought that Sidney’s tax rates were already too high, and the old schools were perfectly adequate places to teach area youth. Some were undecided on the issue, divided over the belief in the importance of education verses the added burden a new tax would put on those with fixed incomes.

Veteran teacher retires

Also at Monday night’s school board meeting, members accepted the resignation of long-time Sidney schools teacher, Sue Wilson. Wilson will retire at the end of this school year.

“She’s been a dedicated person for a lot of years to Sidney Public Schools,” Superintendent Jay Ehler said.

Wilson started teaching in Sidney in 1970.

Ehler praised Wilson’s commitment to helping around the school in any way she could in addition to her duties as a teacher.

“She’s willing to step up whenever she can,” Ehler said. “We wish her the best in her retirement.”

Wilson thanked Sidney schools in her resignation letter.

“My years here have been richly rewarded by many friendships, and I have enjoyed working with and learning from my colleagues,” Wilson said in the letter.