Newton families have petitions ready for school board consideration

Cardinal families are petitioning the Newton school board’s decision to remodel Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Emerson Hough Elementary into a preK-1 building and a grades 2-4 building, respectively, and simultaneously close Woodrow Wilson Elementary and Aurora Heights Elementary.

Two petitions have made their rounds in the community, with paper copies available to be signed at Book Trader Tan America and Murph & Mary’s Pub.

The first petition argues against the grade configuration, saying the construction of preK-4 buildings “is in the best interest of students, teachers, families and the future of Newton Community School District.” The second petition argues the same point but also disagrees with closing Aurora Heights.

Families in favor of preK-4 buildings say during the numerous master planning meetings and open forums, the preferred option was always to build two, preK-4 buildings.

According to the first petition, the families against the preK-1 and grades 2-4 configuration give the following reasons why they take issue with the decision:

• During the numerous master planning meetings and open forums, the preferred option was two preK-4 centers.

• Younger students will not have role models in their buildings.

• Teacher collaboration will be more difficult with four times the number of teachers in the professional learning community (PLC) meetings.

• It involves unnecessary transitions for our students.

• Transportation will be further strained.

• Siblings will be more likely to be separated from each other in separate buildings, making it harder on both students and families.

• Having the youngest students at a school that is surrounded by major highways is a huge concern for both parents and teachers.

• More families have indicated they will be leaving the district over this decision.

According to the second petition, the families against the preK-1 and grades 2-4 configuration and the closing of Aurora Heights give the following reasons why they take issue with the decision:

• Higher initial costs. While the FRK cost estimates appear to be close in numbers in the final report, more than $3.27 million of the Aurora Heights cost estimate is to update building finishes, which was previously not included in the figures (included as future costs). Also, $3 million of the Thomas Jefferson estimate was for upgrading traffic flow just for pickup and drop-off. That money is simply to make traffic flow better and could be much better spent elsewhere.

• Higher recurring costs: Thomas Jefferson has higher annual operating costs. Transportation costs will be greater to bus students to Thomas Jefferson than to Aurora Heights.

• Heat maps show Aurora Heights is the better choice. Growth has been, and is projected to continue, on the northeast side of town. Walkability around Aurora Heights is important for kids that either walk or ride their bikes to school. That doesn’t seem to be an option at Thomas Jefferson given the proximity to Highway 14.

Sources tell Newton News the individuals spearheading the petitions have collected all of the required signatures, but they intend on collecting even more through the weekend. The next step would be for the petitioners to submit their signatures to the school district so the board may reconsider their past action.

Estimates from FRK Architects + Engineers show the cost to make Emerson Hough and Thomas Jefferson into preK-4 schools would be more than $27.78 million. Whereas the costs to make Emerson Hough and Aurora Heights into preK-4 schools would be more than $26.89 million.

The Newton school board on Oct. 23 voted 4-3 to remodel Thomas Jefferson into a preK-1 building and Emerson Hough into a grades 2-4 building; it is estimated to cost more than $21.3 million. The most cost-effective option utilizes the same grade configuration but with Aurora Heights and Emerson Hough at $20.3 million.

The school board’s vote was brought up near the end of the League of Women Voters candidate forum last week, too.

Incumbents like Josh Cantu and Donna Cook, who voted in favor of it, defended their decision. Cantu said he wanted to vote for an option that found most of its funding through sales tax dollars and not property tax dollars. Cook maintained a similar position but also said consistent culture factored into her decision.

Mark Thayer, who is also running for re-election, voted against the resolution and said he was fearful of the impact the configuration would have on families. Frankly, he was “embarrassed” by the school board’s decision, and he does not believe the board listened to the public feedback.

Kristi Meyer, a newcomer candidate who was also involved in the master planning committee, was “floored” by the school board’s decision. She said it was never an option the committee ever considered. If she had been on the board, she would have voted for two, identical preK-4 buildings.