BOE Agrees To Respond To CHS Concerns
By Brandon Reed
While the Commerce Board of Education voted Monday night to take citizens’ concerns into account in the building of the new high school, it did not vote to delay the project.
With approximately 110 people in attendance, the board heard from Bill Sims, chairman of the Commerce High School Advisory Committee, who brought concerns from the committee and other citizens over the new construction.
“The citizens, parents and alumni of this community have raised questions pertaining to the construction of the new Commerce High School,” Sims said. “The group wants to work with the school board and bring into the process many of the talented people of our community and state, which are resources that can be utilized to create a functional education facility that students, parents and citizens can be proud of.”
Sims said the council and community feel that they were left out of the process, and that opening up the process would help answer and clarify concerns.
Sims said several concerns had been raised, including a lack in confidence in the architectural firm, which includes its alleged inability to provide details on how $1.5 million could be saved by building the school in one phase.
Sims said the group proposes building the academic structure first, possibly as a two-story structure that incorporates natural lighting and that saves land for future growth. He said the group also would like to see the auditorium built as a stand-alone structure that would be able to be utilized by the community. The group also would like to see the track built at the high school, rather than adjacent to the middle school as the current plan proposes.
“We’re asking the board to delay construction of the school in order to consider the concerns of the community, and provide an opportunity to be involved in this important and major building project,” Sims said.
Board member Bill Davis made a motion to ask the group to state in writing a priority list of its concerns, and proposed resolutions, to be delivered to the school superintendent within 15 days. Davis said the board will attempt to respond to the concerns by letter dated no later than May 15.
“We cannot promise to agree with any resolution on the issue as requested, but we will listen to the Commerce city residents regarding the new school,” he said
The motion passed unanimously.
When asked by a board member if the move was acceptable, Sims indicated that it was.
Chairman Dr. Paul Sergent also presented to the board a petition signed by 81 students pertaining to not having a gymnasium for two years.
“You will have a gym here,” Dr. Sergent said to those in attendance. “We’re not going to not have a gym. You will have a gym. So you’ve been heard on this, and we thank you for that.”
Sergent also implored upon those in attendance that any rumors they hear in regards to the building should be checked with the board.
“When you hear something, and it doesn’t sound right, call us, and find out if it’s right or not,” he said.
Other Matters
The board voted to increase the Education Benefit Life Insurance policies from $10,000 per employee to $30,000 per employee. The system pays for the policies for the employees. The increased cost will be $12,473, guaranteed for three years.
The board also learned that the Commerce Primary School has been awarded a $98,000 Enhancing Education through Technology Grant.
The board met in a closed session from 7:31 p.m. to 8:33 p.m. to discuss personnel. Following the closed meeting, the board voted to approve the personnel recommendations, resignations and leave of absences.
