Some people in Ponca, NE have lobbied to build a new high school not once, not twice, but three times.
In mid-September, voters in the Ponca School District will once again weigh in on a $9.5 million dollar upgrade to the high school. It would mean a brand new building, as well as renovations to parts of the current facility.
As of now, students are studying in a three story structure built back in 1917. Needless to say, it could use a few improvements.
"Teachers just don't have kids sitting in straight rows listening to lectures anymore where they're the focal point of instruction. A lot of different activities go on in these rooms so you have to have the room to be able to accommodate those types of activities." says Superintendent William Thompson.
Cramped hallways and classrooms are just the beginning. The building is without air conditioning or handicap accessibility.
Proposed renovations would solve many of those problems and provide students with resources the current building can't accommodate. Students can't wait.
"To hear them say, 'Is this the science room? Look how big those labs are!' They had lots of questions about the media center. And it was exciting to me to see their excitement about a possibility." says Fran Hassler, guidance counselor at the high school.
The remodel would also include a new gymnasium, new lockers, and expanded classrooms.
So what's the problem? Why have plans like this fail in the past? Number one: Location.
Previous plans had the new building outside of town. The new plan solves that by building on the land around the current facility.
Perhaps the larger issue, cost. It would mean a hike in property taxes for folks in five local towns.
"I live in Ponca and my taxes will raise and I'm glad to have my taxes raised for something so valuable as a great facility for our kids." adds Hassler.
Supporters argue the project would spark economic development by bringing people to the area. And the tough times mean construction costs will be down.
"If this is not built today, it's going to either have to be built sometime in the future and we can pass it on to the people of the next generation or we can take care of it today." says high school Principal Michelle Rinas.
To help educate voters on the project, the school district will host informational meetings later this month. The first will be August 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Jackson School. Then again on the 20th at the Ponca School.
