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The Glen Ellyn Public School District 41 Board of Education will continue its talks of land acquisition, despite concerns expressed by a board member.
District Communications Director Julie Worthen said as of now, no particular parcel is being considered for purchase.
“They’re talking about talking about it,” Worthen said in an interview.
The notion of buying land springs from the recommendation of a 24-member committee called the Master Facilities Plan Steering Committee. The committee recommended the district eliminate portable classrooms and build a new school to better serve a larger population of students. The district currently has prefabricated facilities at its schools to accommodate some students.
At the School Board’s Feb. 1 meeting, board member Jack Kahler motioned to freeze all land-acquisition discussion for a year, citing other pressing financial concerns. Kahler said he was concerned holding discussions about land acquisition would send the wrong message to the community, while the district works to manage its budget in a down economy.
Before voting on the motion, which was carried over to the board’s Feb. 16 meeting, other board members convinced Kahler to amend his motion.
Board member Tera Costa Howard said stopping the conversation about potential land acquisition would be “idiotic.” She and other board members said the district must continue to look to the future.
Kahler eventually agreed that the conversation should continue in committee meetings.
In an interview, Superintendent Ann Riebock said that up for discussion is whether some of the district’s property is big enough to accommodate a new school, or whether they should consider purchasing land if it becomes available.
Riebock said she expects the board to vote at its next meeting on a motion that would determine what kind of land acquisition conversation to have and at what level those conversations will occur.
The Glen Ellyn Public School District 41 Board of Education will continue its talks of land acquisition, despite concerns expressed by a board member.
District Communications Director Julie Worthen said as of now, no particular parcel is being considered for purchase.
“They’re talking about talking about it,” Worthen said in an interview.
The notion of buying land springs from the recommendation of a 24-member committee called the Master Facilities Plan Steering Committee. The committee recommended the district eliminate portable classrooms and build a new school to better serve a larger population of students. The district currently has prefabricated facilities at its schools to accommodate some students.
At the School Board’s Feb. 1 meeting, board member Jack Kahler motioned to freeze all land-acquisition discussion for a year, citing other pressing financial concerns. Kahler said he was concerned holding discussions about land acquisition would send the wrong message to the community, while the district works to manage its budget in a down economy.
Before voting on the motion, which was carried over to the board’s Feb. 16 meeting, other board members convinced Kahler to amend his motion.
Board member Tera Costa Howard said stopping the conversation about potential land acquisition would be “idiotic.” She and other board members said the district must continue to look to the future.
Kahler eventually agreed that the conversation should continue in committee meetings.
In an interview, Superintendent Ann Riebock said that up for discussion is whether some of the district’s property is big enough to accommodate a new school, or whether they should consider purchasing land if it becomes available.
Riebock said she expects the board to vote at its next meeting on a motion that would determine what kind of land acquisition conversation to have and at what level those conversations will occur.
