Twin River is seeking input from voters in their district to see what they would like to see in a building project. NCJ file photo
GENOA — Now is your chance to be heard.
The Twin River Schools Board of Education held its first of two public meetings on Monday to give voters in the district a chance to see what could be included in a building project referendum that could be on the May ballot. A second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym in Genoa.
The district intends to go back before the voters to seek funds for either a new school building north of the current site or a renovation of the current 1929 building. Residents in the district voted down a $48.5 million plan in September. Those in attendance on Monday that as a result of inflation it would cost $50 million to complete the project previously submitted to the voters.
Twin River Superintendent Jason Schapman went over different options the district is looking at this time around. A major renovation, without tearing down the 1929 building, a minor renovation to the 1929 building that would just patch the current problems, reopening the Silver Creek building in conjunction with a renovation to the 1929 building and building a new school on land north of the current campus. The different options ranged from $50 million to $60 million. No specific plan was pushed over another.
“What we have now is not a viable option,” Twin River School Board President Jennifer Swantek said. “We are looking for your input. I get that this is a big number.” The school board opened the meeting to questions from the public to get feedback on what they would like to see in a building project.
Questions ranged from why not a $30 million option to what condition the current Silver Creek building is in. It would cost $12.5 million to reopen the location and then the district would have to pay an additional $945,000 a year to operate the building and the district would only gain five classrooms.
One patron said that the district was doing it all backwards. He said rather than showing options the district should mail a survey to very resident in the district to get the feedback. He said Monday’s meeting was not a statistical sample of the district.
Schapman was asked if the district had considered consolidating with another district. He said that there were no serious discussions, but of the districts they talked with no one was interested in consolidating.
The question was raised about how long the 1929 building can remain safe for students.
“Is it safe?” Schapman said. “We have to make it safe. We will continue to put money into it to make it safe.”
There are currently 409 students in the district. Schapman said after the meeting that the majority live in Genoa. After completing a renovation the district could absorb 100-150 more students.
Twin River employee Brooke Kruse spoke in favor of a building project. She said that the district is not just a school, but three communities.
“It’s for our children,” she said. “Do it for the future.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, the district will continue to offer tours of the current 1929 building to show the public the conditions the students have to deal with on a daily basis.
After Monday’s meeting, Schapman said he was pleased with the turnout.
“We need people to give us feedback to know which direction they want us to go,” he said. “We will take the survey results and the board will make a decision about what to put on the ballot.”
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.
Schapman said that the Twin River school board has until March 1 to approve a resolution to have the measure on the ballot.
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.
At the meeting on Monday, the public was told that renovating the current building would be a 2-3 year process. If they build a new building at another location the construction can happen without distraction to the day-to-day education process.