Sunset parents press for vote to replace moldy school

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http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/local/021202-1.html

Sunset parents press for vote

By Bradley of the Northwestern

Lindsey Kimball, an Americorp member, helps Bev Sol-litto, a Sunset

Kindergarten teacher in setting up her classroom at St. s. Sunset had

to move to St. s because of high mold count which has left some

students and teachers sick. The relocation will last until the end of the

year. Northwestern photo by Joe Sienkkiewicz

As Sunset Elementary School teachers and staff rushed Monday to transform a

parochial school into a temporary haven for mold-displaced students, parents

suggested Oshkosh taxpayers should vote this April on replacing the school.

A Sunset parent group has already begun lobbying Oshkosh public school board

members to introduce a resolution at WednesdayÕs meeting that would call for

a referendum to replace Sunset Elementary School.

Nearly 155 students will Wednesday move to St. Catholic School, 435

High Ave., because of parentÕs fears children may be harmed by mold found

growing at Sunset. Sixty-five kindergarten and first-grade students were

moved Feb. 1 to Tipler Middle School and second- to fifth-grade

students joined them Friday.

Parents said the move marks a prime opportunity to again ask voters to

replace the school on a 40-acre parcel on Ryf Road.

" WeÕre stuck without a school and thereÕs nothing on the agenda from the

district or the school board on what to do, " said Jim Lemmer, head of the

parentsÕ group For Our Children United We Stand, or FOCUS. " With the mold

issue fresh in peopleÕs minds and the fact that weÕve had to relocate, we

feel we have to act now to get something accomplished to replace Sunset. "

A replacement school for Sunset was part of a referendum plan defeated by

district voters in November. It called for the taxpayers to spend $6 million

to build a new school at the Ryf Road site.

Test results showing the health hazard of the mold found in Sunset wonÕt be

complete until later this week or next, but environmental consultants have

said the mold is common and does not pose a threat to the majority of

students.

Moving students for the rest of the year isnÕt enough to ease parentsÕ

concerns, Lemmer said.

" Our current (Parent Teacher Organization) president is looking into moving

her kids to Winneconne and weÕve talked to others who have said they will

move their kids or move their house, " Lemmer said.

The decision to hold an April referendum shouldnÕt be a difficult one for

the school board, Lemmer said. The district has the cost estimates and floor

plans of 235-student Sunset from the November referendum.

The board said Feb. 6 that it will not hold an April referendum for any

construction plan, but will instead focus on scheduling a November vote.

" The board has already determined that it would be imprudent to gear up for

an April referendum, " said member Dennis McHugh. " An April ballot is not

sufficient time to adequately inform the public on all the issues. "

The parent group approached board member Thiel about sponsoring a

resolution authorizing the referendum, but she said Monday she decided

against it. Holding a referendum in about 50 days may not be enough time to

promote the construction plan to the public as well as settle

administratorÕs fears about " rushing " to a vote, she said.

A November referendum will allow administrators to watch how the state

manages its $1.1 million budget shortfall, learn more about a proposed

moratorium on new school construction and let the district meet with focus

groups comprised of voters, Thiel said.

" I want to do this right and do this the right way, " she said. " IÕm afraid

to do more harm than good. "

Siri Whitcomb, a mother of two Sunset students, said parents know they

probably will not convince the school board to schedule the referendum. But

they want to know where their children are going to attend school this fall.

" If they are not going to consider a referendum in April, what is the

contingency plan? " Whitcomb said. " WeÕre concerned about our kids being

bounced around. If they are going to be at St. Õs for the rest of the

year where will they be the next school year? "

OshkoshÕs Unified Catholic Schools has its own plans for St. School

this fall. Its board is working on a plan to close St. Frances Cabrini, 616

Merritt Ave., and St. Ann Seton elementary schools, 1207 Oregon

St., and move 372 students to the building, saving the system from a

$339,000 budget shortfall.

St. Catholic Church is renting the school to the district for $40,000

for the remainder of the school year. But it may not be large enough for a

complete consolidation of the Unified Catholic Schools this fall, said

Purtell, interim president and CEO.

St. school is large enough for the two elementary schools, but it may

not have enough room to also house UCSÕs two state-licensed child care

centers, which may have to be moved, Purtell said. However, that doesnÕt

mean the school will or will not use the school for the 2002-03 school year,

Purtell said.

" WeÕre still evaluating, " Purtell said. " Our discussion has become more

complex. ItÕs more expansive that what we were planning before. "

The Oshkosh district is searching for an alternative site to Sunset for next

year should the school remain closed, said Principal Sue Knippel.

For now, the district is working to have at least one phone line operating

at the schoolÕs new site by Wednesday. Sunset staff is scheduling an open

house for parents and community members Thursday night.

" Everyone is a little shocked but weÕre just excited to be in one place, "

said Knippel as she packed her office Monday. " WeÕre just so glad to have

everybody together again. WeÕll concentrate on next year after we move. "

Bradley: (920) 426-6668 or ebradley@...