By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Niles is one of only three school districts in Berrien County not supporting its schools financially, said Niles Community Schools Superintendent Doug Law.
The other two are River Valley and Benton Harbor, he said.
Law said Niles Community Schools does not like being included in that number.
"The last time residents of Niles supported their schools with a bond was in 1990. That was paid off two years ago. Of the seven school districts that touch Niles' district, Niles is the only one not supporting its schools with a bond," Law said.
He was speaking at a press conference Wednesday, held in support of two new proposals voters are being asked to support in the May 8 election.
Proposal one would result in a millage rate of 3.74 for just less than 30 years and would raise $37,165,000.
Proposal two is for 0.24 mills for just less than 30 years to raise the $2,370,000 needed to convert Eastside School into an administration center.
For the first time in 25 years, the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce has unanimously come out in support of a bond issue. The Chamber made the decision Monday night.
"We didn't even ask for it. On a recommendation by Chamber President Ron Sather, they all decided it should be supported," Law said.
For all those who voted against the bond issue in last February's millage election, Help Our Kids Soar believes this proposal answers their concerns.
In a survey taken just after the millage defeat, voters said they were not interested in a 37-year 7-mill millage referendum or the new high school on which it was centered.
The three coordinators of Help Our Kids Soar, each have their own favorite reason as to why Niles should vote yes this time. Gloria Cooper, Judy Truesdell and Todd Wakevainen have been speaking to groups throughout Niles.
Cooper's biggest concern is safety and security. She sees the growing traffic problems at the schools as extremely dangerous.
"Just go down Sycamore or Ferry streets as school goes in or gets out. Get down there today in this stormy weather and see. The cars are three deep. We are going to maim someone up there," she said.
A survey of elementary students was done at Eastside School on three sunny spring days. It showed that only 15 – 20 percent of them walked to school on a good day.
The new proposal if passed will allow for separate bus traffic and parent drop off areas at all schools. For special events at Ring Lardner, an additional parking area will be added.
Main offices will move to just inside the main entrance at each elementary school. No one will be able to enter any building unnoticed. Swipe card technology like that used for hotel keys would further enhance the security, should the proposal pass.
Truesdell is anxious to see an equal chance for learning at all elementary schools. Under proposal one, there would be an opportunity for all kindergarteners to attend Northside Child Development Center.
The plan would offer a full-day experience by including a half-day educational day care added to the kindergarten half-day. The day care portion would be run on a tuition basis with the district providing lunch.
Classrooms would be added so class sizes could be more standardized. Each elementary school would have the same technology, music and gym facilities.
The Ellis building would be closed and both Howard and Ballard would have an equal number of classrooms to accommodate all elementary school students.
To Wakevainen, the issues are about what kind of community Niles wants a decade from now. With deteriorating buildings, he fears property values will suffer. Cooper agrees.
"I talked to a Niles businessman the other day. He lives in Indiana. He said when he first moved up from Florida, he looked to settle in Niles, but driving through he said the schools were all old. There's someone we lost to Indiana," she said.
Buildings are in desperate need of major renovations and upgrades to energy efficiency. Technology is outdated and not keeping up with the educational needs of today's students.
Eastside School has been an emotionally charged issue. According to Law the building has only five years, given its current condition before it would be rendered unusable.
If proposal one passes, proposal two will address the issue of Eastside being converted to accommodate administrative offices, alternative high school and adult education students.
The plan would save $150,000 to $200,000 even after the two or three school buses needed. The entire referendum would cost a little over half of the last proposed bond.
Truesdell said most of those people "Help Our Kids Soar" members spoke to, have primarily been in favor of the proposals. "A question that comes up is what about the lottery? Doesn't it support schools? Doug Law said it best – it does, for about two and a half days a year," she said. Those taking part in the discussion urge Niles residents to get out to vote. They want that vote to be yes.