Feedback offered on the 5 proposed elementary options

BAXTER - Several people spoke passionately about re-opening Whittier School while others asked questions or listened to the proposed elementary growth options.

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An estimated 150 people gathered Tuesday night at Forestview Middle School in Baxter to give Brainerd School Board members feedback on the five proposed options to handle projected growth in the elementary levels.

School board members, including the three newly elected members not yet seated on the board, attended Tuesday's forum and listened as Steve Lund, director of business services, explained each of the five options.

Board member Lew Hudson took questions and comments from audience members after each option was presented.

Children at Riverside Elementary School in Brainerd waited in the gym Tuesday to be picked up after school. A community forum was conducted Tuesday night at Forestview Middle School in Baxter to gather input on solutions for future elementary growth in the Brainerd Schol District. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.

The proposals include reopening Whittier School for one section of kindergarten through fourth-grade and transferring four classes of the enrichment program there; reopening Whittier and adding two portable structures, creating a 1,700-square foot cafeteria space and two 850-square-foot classrooms; relocating Baxter fourth graders to the Forestview fifth-grade wing; convert Washington Educational Services Building into an eighth-grade center and move the entire fourth grade to Forestview; and take a "wait and see" approach of monitoring enrollment projections and maintain the district's existing elementary school program.

Kaylo Brooks-Gustafson said she lives next to Whittier School yet drives her daughter to another Brainerd elementary school. She said she supports either Whittier option.

"I look at a very viable school, an entire school across the street from my home with a gym, classrooms, a cafeteria and it sits empty and we're having this conversation," said Brooks-Gustafson. "I am for Option 1 or Option 2. I just want my little school reopened."

Diane Meyer, who teaches physical education at Garfield and Lowell and formerly at Whittier, said Whittier has the support of its neighborhood community.

"The Whittier neighborhood has voted yes to every referendum and bond issue," said Meyer. "If the growth continues around us because our houses are affordable, we'll get more families moving to the center."

Jim Erickson, an East Gull Lake resident, questioned Whittier's air quality and the higher cost of heating and cooling the older building.

David Hermerding, a north Brainerd resident, responded.

"It has something called windows," Hermerding said of Whittier. "You can open them up and let the air in. It's something that I don't believe this school building (Forestview) has. ... School board members, if you remember two years ago, which group of people were here again and again and again? Whittier people who are here again tonight. That is a school that can continue to serve this district and we ask for you to consider this option."

Ben Hermerding, a Brainerd High School student and David's son, also urged the board to consider reopening Whittier, where he attended elementary school.

"I still wish I could just be at the little school that just had six sections," said Hermerding. "I know I came out with a better education than I could have gotten."

Carla Staffon-Fossum, also a north Brainerd resident, told board members that a small school creates a feeling of belonging, and small children need that feeling. She noted that the district is interested in continuing with its "school-within-a-school" model for its enrichment program at Lowell, which involves a small school-type education model, much like what Whittier provided its students.

Marianne VanVickle, a third-grade teacher in the district's enrichment program, cautioned the board about moving the enrichment program from Lowell to Whittier, where it would be housed with only one other section of regular education classes. VanVickle said the enrichment program has a different pace to it, something the board also needs to consider.

Jeanine Christiansen, a Baxter fourth-grade teacher, expressed concerns about her students moving to Forestview. She had concerns about social and academic appropriateness for having 9-year-olds with 14-year-olds in the same building.

David Meyer, a Lowell fourth-grade teacher, said as a school patrol adviser he had concerns about moving fourth-graders out of the elementary schools and requiring third-graders to serve as school patrol members at the schools.

"I don't know if I'd put my third-grader on a corner at Lowell," Meyer said, citing safety concerns.

Kathy Bahma asked where district offices would be relocated if Washington became an eighth-grade center. Lund said that was an unanswered question, that the district would need to find space in existing buildings or lease space.

Bob Gerlach, a retired middle school principal who lives in Baxter, said he doesn't support moving eighth-graders out of Forestview since the school, with its fields and amenities, was built for them. He said it is an elementary problem since Forestview and BHS can handle its populations.

"I'm standing here thinking there is a 750-pound gorilla in this room," said Gerlach. "I think another viable option is to look at a new elementary building. When you looked at the migration, you put Forestview in Baxter because of the population. Riverside and Baxter are overcrowded schools. I know it's a tough decision in these tough economic times but I think it's a viable option to consider."

Tonya Person, a teacher, said she had serious concerns about her children attending school as fourth-graders at Forestview and reminded board members that the Washington building is also used for staff development and those rooms are frequently filled.

"Why not an option presented about possibly building a school?," said Person. "When you look at the age of all of our buildings, I think residents are wondering the same thing."

Board members thanked community members for coming and asked them to send e-mails to board members with any additional comments or suggestions. Board members' e-mail addresses are listed on the district's Web site, www.isd181.org.

"We aren't coming in here with our minds made up," said board member Kent Montgomery. "This is your opportunity to help us make a decision and your voice needs to be heard. So, please, let us know your thoughts. We appreciate them and we see the passion behind some of these choices."

The school board Facilities Committee will meet at noon Dec. 1 to discuss the options and make a recommendation to the school board. The school board would then consider that recommendation at the 7 p.m. Dec. 14 regular school board meeting.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.