By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Eight candidates for the St. Joseph school board differ in their assessment of the school board’s proposal to buy the American Family Insurance headquarters and turn it into a second high school.
School board Vice President Lute Atieh says retrofitting that building saves time and money.
“I prefer to start with a structure,” Atieh says. “I’ve been in the facility. I’ve spoken to the engineers. I’ve looked at it. American Family did a great job maintaining that facility. It’s first class.”
Voters will choose three candidates from the field of eight April 6th.
All eight discussed issues, primarily the $107 million bond issue also on the April 6th ballot, during a candidate forum webcast by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce on its Facebook page.
The proposal calls for a dramatic shakeup of the St. Joseph School District. It would provide the school district the money to buy the American Family building across from Missouri Western State University and convert it into a second high school. The district would retain Central High School and convert Benton High School and Lafayette High School into middle schools.
Investor David Foster favors the proposal, because it would allow the high schools to offer equal curriculum.
“And that’s what’s most important to me,” Foster says. “I want equal education, equal opportunity and as long as we can accomplish that then I’ll be a happy guy.”
Opposed to converting the American Family headquarters is Kenneth Reeder, a longtime community activist.
“Buying old, used buildings does not improve our education,” Reeder asserts. “We’re talking about new, shiny buildings, not about the education, not what’s in the classroom.”
LaTonya Williams owns a photography studio downtown and works at the Bartlett Center. She says the location is not ideal, forcing some long bus rides.
“Kids are not able to walk there,” Williams says. “Everyone would need transportation. And so, as a Mom, I’m looking about the travel to the building.”
Incumbent school board member Larry Koch supports the proposal, calling it the best alternative.
“Long term, it is a very good option, a very good opportunity for St. Joe, unlike any that I’ve seen in the past,” according to Koch.
The location of the American Family building concerns Colby Oyerly.
“The amount of money that is going into that school compared to what is going into the other ones, it just doesn’t sit for me,” Oyerly states.
Disagreeing is incumbent Richard Gehring, who says the plan will put St. Joseph high school students on equal footing.
“The building itself may be a little bit newer, but in the end, if we get two high schools that offer equal academic, extra curriculars, athletics, I am always going to be all for that,” Gehring says.
Retired educator David Jordan also says it is important to realign the high schools to offer the same programs.
“Having similar offerings for all of our students; to me what goes on inside that building is more important than what the actual building looks like,” Jordan says.
St. Joseph voters will choose three for three-year terms on the school board.