Community discusses specifics of proposed land transfer
LUCAS — More than 100 residents gathered Sunday afternoon in the Lucas Area Community Theater to discuss firm numbers regarding the potential land transfer of Wilson schools to USD 299.
“We heard there were concerns about numbers and we wanted to address those concerns and put those rumors to rest,” said Michelle Brokes, a Wilson resident who works in Lucas as a physician’s assistant.
“I am a provider of medical services of the clinic in town and know many of you and many of the kids involved on both sides.”
The meeting included presentations, followed by written and a few verbal questions from the assembled.
“I was a sophomore when they decided to close Lucas Luray,” said Catie Seirer during the Q&A time. “When we unified with Sylvan, everyone was so welcoming … accepting.
“I think we have a big opportunity to show other communities we can do that. We are showing them that this is what you do, this is how you treat people.”
The USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education voted in April to close grades 7-12 in Wilson.
“That’s when everything hit the fan,” said Roger Robinson, a USD 112 board member.
“[There was] a lot of emotional concern about what was going on … losing our school.”
Discussion began about the possibility of transferring the land and Wilson schools to another district.
Two public, community listening sessions were held with the USD 299 board before it voted on the issue in September. During that meeting, USD 299 board president Marc Lovin moved to gather additional information so the board could more fully understand the tangible aspects of a land transfer.
The board split with a 3-3 vote. Board vice president Rhonda Haberer abstained, which was considered a no vote, so the motion failed.
USD 299 teacher Jason Seehafer said he attended the most recent board meeting and thinks the board is a good one. “I would like to hear each of our board members give their reasons why (they voted),” he See MEETING Page A5
Roger Robinson, USD 112 board member, presents information about details of a possible land transfer of Wilson schools to USD 299. If the transfer goes through, USD 299 would gain the building and all contents, several vehicles and an estimated land value of $13.6 million.
Photos by KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter
Rod Seehafer hands out information in the lobby of the Lucas Community Theater prior to Sunday’s community meeting.
said. “I would like to hear the board members give their opinions so everybody knows ... and have a reason behind why they were for or against.”
Following that meeting, Robinson and other school and community members worked to gather additional data.
Sabrina Bourbon, who teaches at Wilson Elementary, surveyed parents. If the land transfer to USD 299 was approved, she asked parents from Wilson where they would send their students for the 2023-24 school year.
“It is important we give Sylvan Grove and Lucas the most accurate information possible,” she said. “We understand the value of knowing what you’re going to get — how many students are coming.”
For Wilson Elementary students, 69 would attend elementary school, 13 are undecided and one said no. For juniorsenior high school, 53 would attend school in Sylvan Grove, 15 are undecided and one would not attend Sylvan Grove.
“We have to respect those no’s,” Bourbon said. “It doesn’t work for everybody. There is no cookie cutter options that will work for everyone.”
Transportation is a significant factor in the decision for those who are undecided, she said.
Robinson presented two scenarios for 202324 fiscal year income. He estimated that 120 students currently at Wilson schools would attend Wilson Elementary or at Sylvan Grove next year.
“We’re taking $1.2 million added to 299’s budget,” he said. “The valuation for Wilson this year is $13.6 million. That’s added to 299’s district valuation.”
One scenario estimated about $6,000 of aid per student from the state. This is the lowest funding without weighting, and would yield a net revenue for the district of about $137,000.
Students are assigned a weight financially based on academic and support needs such as food service or transportation. If the estimate increases to $10,000 per student for 120 students, a net revenue of about $617,000 is estimated.
Lynn Wacker, who lives in USD 299 but teaches in Waconda USD 272, said the estimates are solid.
“I have been a big part of budgeting and talking with the board where I teach,” she said. “I know how the school budgets work. These numbers are right. They’ve been very kind with their numbers. We’ll have a lot of money to use for our students.”
Michelle Brokes, who is a former USD 112 board member, said districts are compensated based on the number of students, but that as the student population at a school increases, so does the local option budget (LOB) line item.
“As the general fund goes up, so does the local option budget, which is funded locally,” she said. “As those dollars go up, 299 taxpayers are charged with making up those dollars. If the land transfer goes through, Wilson/ Dorrance foots the bill.”
As the mother of four, the land transfer is about more than dollars and cents, though.
“Why is the land transfer important for Wilson? Because it would be our school,” Brokes said. “We know our 7-12 is closing. It’s hard. We’re going through our year of lasts.
“While we’re doing that, we’re looking for our future home, our school. We want our tax dollars to go where our kids go.”
Mary Hlad, who teaches elementary school for USD 299, said she began asking questions when the possibility of a land transfer began to circulate.
“I’ve been at every meeting provided by our district and one of Wilson’s as well,” she said. “Once you reach 30 (students), then classes are split. If you’re splitting, you’re getting a better quality of education because there are less students per teacher.”
Another aspect of more students, and possibly additional teachers in the junior-senior high school, would be additional electives.
“We’re trying to prepare students for the future,” Hlad said. “More electives means we’re providing opportunities for them to grow for future employment.
“Lincoln is doing welding. There are things Wilson does that we don’t have.”
Adding two staff members could mean 14 to 16 additional class blocks, she pointed out.
“If you can get five kids in a class, you can offer an elective,” she said. “The more electives you offer, the more money from the state.
“I am a teacher, but I also have three small children sitting back there. The youngest is two. I want the best for all of my kids as well as for kids from any district that’s coming in.”
One concern raised during public forums at USD 299 meetings was board composition.
“I think there was concern of stacking the board,” said Brokes, a former USD 112 board member. “The first thing I would tell you is I’ve seen what stacking the board does. It brings agendas to a school district, and it’s not good.
“That’s not what we’re here for. It’s not good education, it’s not good policy.”
She presented an option for three districts, with two representatives each, and one at-large board member. Districts would be split as follows: Lucas/Luray/Dorrance/ Plymoth Township; Wilson/Noble Township; and Sylvan/ Vesper/Denmark/ Hunter/Wilson Township.
“Any opportunity to stack the board would be pretty difficult under that scenario,” she said.
While education centers around academics, sports also come into play, said Brokes. Her daughter is in sixth grade, and of the seven students, only two are boys.
Sylvan resident Stacy Batchman pointed out her district has the opposite issue.
“We only have five girls in seventh grade for volleyball,” she said. “You don’t hardly have enough to scrimmage a practice.”
Brokes, who works in Lucas, pointed out some schools co-opt for athletic teams.
“It is another cost out of your district’s pocket,” she said. “You have to pay for coaching and transportation. If you have a land transfer, you wouldn’t have that extra cost going out.”
One woman expressed a differing view.
“Everyone’s painting a grim picture of Sylvan surviving on its own, and I don’t think that’s true,” she said. “Nobody knows if we can keep a majority (on the board). If people don’t vote, it’s a possibility we could lose control of our board.”
Sylvan Grove resident Haley Richards expressed skepticism about a board takeover.
“I don’t see your district ever trying to come in and take over because you know what it feels like to get your school shut down,” she said.
Randi Stoppel said she is a proud Mustang graduate.
“Sylvan is so good right now, why would we miss out on this opportunity to be great?” she said. “I’ve never known Sylvan Unified to back down from the opportunity to be great.
“I would like to have all these communities as one because I’ve lived in every one of them and I love every one so much. Getting all three communities together, we’d be the biggest and best 1A.”
Rural Sylvan resident Darrell Oetting is a graduate of the Sylvan Unified class of 1969.
“I was a sophomore in high school when it happened,” he said of the unification of Vespter, Denmark, Hunter and Sylvan Grove into one district. “There were people who said it was a no good deal, but it saved a community. Hunter isn’t much and Vesper isn’t much, but we are community and we have people who talk to each other. If it (the land transfer) gets people not talking who were friends, it ain’t worth it. You got to stick together people.”
Craig Freeman, the general manager of Wilson Communications, expressed excitement for the possibilities.
“We look at this as one big community,” he said. “Five of the communities we serve would be in the new district. It takes a lot of time and effort. I get excited that all of these communities could be together.”
Robinson said the goal is to look toward the future.
“We’re trying to do something positive and be proactive and see if we can come together and do something for our students and communities,” he said. “Wilson came to Lucas Luray and Sylvan with this idea of consolidation. We didn’t ask for anything except to find a new home.
“We don’t want colors changed, we don’t want dragons over here. We’re not asking for anything except a new home for our kids.”