B-PC enters reorganization talks

By ADAM MORROW

Eagle Correspondent

The B-PC School Board announced at their Wednesday, Sept. 16 meeting that they have hired Midwest School Consultants to conduct a feasibility study in possibly consolidating the school districts of Bushnell-Prairie City, Avon and Abingdon. Representatives from each district agreed to hire MSC, who has been involved in 36 previous reorganizations, for a cost of $10,000, in which the state will pay $7,000 and each school will be responsible for $1,000. A final recommendation is scheduled for some time in January 2010.

In other business:

• The board was addressed with a question that has been asked of school boards all over the country: "Why didn't the school allow President Obama's speech to be shown to it's students?"

The question was graciously asked by a student's mother, who expressed disappointment that B-PC students missed out on a very inspirational and motivating speech that promoted positive educational values.

In response, Superintendent David Messersmith said, "due to concerns of political overtones preceding the speech, a decision was made to not show the speech at its allotted time, but rather make it available on the school's website to all interested in reading it."

• A motion was passed by the board to approve the school budget for 2009-2010.

• The total enrollment for this school year was 820 students; 433 elementary, 142 junior high, 288 high school and special education transported out 17.

• A principal search committee is being organized in preparation for replacing high school  principal, Anita Pyle, who is retiring at the end of the 2010 school year.

• Online grades are up and running now and the board encourages all students and parents to take advantage of the system to monitor classroom grades.