Twin River board meets tonight to discuss feedback
GENOA — The public has spoken. The school district has listened and next they will discuss the feedback they received The Twin River Schools Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. today in the elementary media center to go over the community survey that was distributed at meetings over the last two weeks. Approximately 400 people attended the two meetings, with last week’s meeting so well-attended that there were patrons standing in the old gym and in the balcony as the district presented the same information as they gave out at the first weekend.
Twin River Superintendent Jason Schapmann previously said that the district intends to go back to the voters for funding for a building project. Residents in the district voted down a $48.5 million plan in September.
At the two meetings, the public heard about potential directions the district could go this time around, with plans ranging from the same plan voters turned down in 2023 to building a new school at a different location in Genoa. The different options ranged from $50 million to $60 million. No specific plan was pushed over another.
Schapmann told the crowd last week that they wanted to present the same information at both meetings. Tonight is the board’s first meeting after receiving feedback from residents in the district regarding potential building project plans. According to the meeting’s agenda, the board will discuss the feedback.
Twin River voters have failed to pass a building project bond four times. In addition to the 2023 election, the school tried to pass bonds in 2003, 2012 and 2013. The district consolidated in 2001. Twin River is currently in a 1929 school building. Before the September special election, school officials offered the public tours of the building to show first hand the condition the school building is in.
The previously proposed bond project included education space for both primary, secondary, and special education. The addition recaptured space from the demolition of the 1929 building. It will be replaced with new shared spaces such as commons/cafeteria, music, art, media center, and main office. Also included were new and improved Ag education and shop areas, new athletic facilities including a competition gym, auxiliary gym, weight room, wrestling/multipurpose sports room, and locker rooms. The concept kept students under one roof the entire school day.
The district is spread over four different counties. Each county will have a bond measure on their May ballot. In September the vote was divided Nance County versus outside Nance County. Nance County voters favored the project 363-234. Merrick County voted against the project 173-46. Platte County voted against the project 204-102. Polk County voted against the project 48-1.