consolidation

Lee County Reorganization Savings

Jason Parrott — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 05:33:21 +0000

The Lee County Board of Supervisors is touting the benefits of a controversial decision.

There are plenty of residents, especially in Keokuk, who oppose the board’s decision to reorganize four county departments one year ago.

The offices of the Auditor and Treasurer are now located in Fort Madison while the Assessor and Recorder are in Keokuk.

The opposition is primarily linked to the lack of a drivers’ license facility in Keokuk.

The supervisors say the reorganization is paying off for the county.

Districts Aim for November Ballot

James Lenz — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:14:33 +0000

The Avon and Abingdon school districts hope to put a consolidation measure before voters before the end of the year.

The districts have to file a petition for the election with the regional superintendent of education by May 7th to get the issue on the November ballot.

Avon Superintendent Dan Oakley is confident the paperwork will be done in time. He said the parties will hold quite a few meetings to get the work done by the end of April.

Avon and Abingdon School Districts Look at Merger

Jim Lenz — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:25:33 +0000

The Avon School District has been looking for a partner. Last month, voters turned down a three-district consolidation measure the would have combined Avon, Abingdon and Bushnell-Prairie City.

Avon Superintendent Dan Oakley had been in discussions with his counterparts in Abingdon and B-PC on two-district consolidation.

He said the Avon School Board weighed proposals from each of the other districts.

Oakley said the board preferred Abingdon's proposal because it would house the junior high in Avon.

Consolidation is Still an Option for Districts

Curtis Bisbee — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:20:42 +0000

Despite the failure of the proposed consolidation of Abingdon, Avon and the Bushnell-Prairie City school districts, consolidation in some form is still on the table.

The “Just Vote No” committee in the B-PC district was the most vocal group opposed to the measure. They opposed including Abingdon because of the length of bus rides for students who would have gone to junior high school there. Many members support a consolidation with Avon.

Voters have not had a chance to decide on that option.

Curriculum Becomes Point of Contention in Consolidation

James Lenz — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:14:10 +0000

Supporters and opponents of a three-district consolidation proposal agree kids should have access to a broader curriculum.

The measure would combine the Avon, Abingdon and Bushnell-Prairie City districts into one.

Shannon Price opposes the consolidation. She loves the proposed curriculum for the new district. She says the B-PC district should investigate other options, including use of the Internet to provide those classes.

Bus Ride Times Might Sway Voters

James Lenz — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:03:55 +0000

Parents of school-age children will take a long look at the potential for long bus rides as they decide whether three school districts will consolidate.

Avon, Abingdon and Bushnell-Prairie City would form a new district if voters approve the measure March 20th.

Dan Mahr is vice-chair for the transportation subcommittee of the Committee of 10. He said the goal of the bus routes is to minimize the number of students with long rides.

Some students in the three districts currently face 90 minute bus rides.

Groups Will Present Opposing Views on Consolidation

James Lenz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:35:40 +0000

Voters in the Avon, Abingdon and Bushnell-Prairie City School Districts will decide March 20th whether the districts should consolidate.

The Committee of 10 supports consolidation. It will launch an informational campaign later this month

Committee Chair Jerry Arthur said, ”We're just interested in trying to provide enough information so that the public knows what they're voting on rather than just to say 'well, you know, we're not in favor of it because it's a change.”