Board approves use of Edison state matching funds for new Support Services facility

School board members Tuesday night took action on a recommendation from the Facilities Task Force to commit state matching funds from the Edison Elementary project to develop a new Support Services complex.
Longtime Facilities Task Force chair Dan Reid of Opp & Seibold General Construction said using the approximately $3.4 million in state matching funds for a Support Services facility would be a great investment in the district's future.

Reid said Facilities Task Force members understand no specific plans for a Support Services facility have been developed at this stage. He said the vote was unanimous and all 16 members enthusiastically supported building a new facility for Support Services.

School board member Mary Jo Geidl said she has been waiting for this for years as she joined the board in approving the action request to commit funds. Superintendent Rich Carter said this action sends a message to the district's support staff members that relief is on the way.

"They have had to put up with unsatisfactory facilities for so many years," Carter said. "This move shows them we are serious about developing a quality facility to help them do their jobs."

This action also sends a message to taxpayers that the district will not be seeking a bond to improve the Support Services facilities, according to School board President Anne Golden.

"This is a way to build the facility without having to go out for a bond," Golden said.

State matching funds from the Edison project are expected to begin coming in this fall.