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Show School Board Okays Construction of New Panguitch High Garfield County School Board members made three Important decisions to consider recommendations of local educational reform committees. The board unanimously approved construction of a new high school in Panguitch, a new gymnasium at Escalante, with the elementary and high schools trading buildings, and proposed dealing with problems of sinking of the Bryce Valley school building. Board President Carl Hatch said he felt Panguitch should be the board's first priority. He stated the board had two choices for the Panguitch High School building: spend approximately $1 million to bring the present building to fire code or build a new building for approximately $1.5 million. In other discussions concerning Panguitch, it was suggested that a personnel move be made to create needed room at Panguitch Elementary. It was also suggested that some of the out dated material be taken from the library, using less room at the media center and making an additional classroom available. Jolley also presented a proposal to solve the kindergarten problem of 29-30 students in a class by making some staff changes. Hatch stated that a kindergarten teacher In Iron County had over 30 students. He said that the situation is an administrative problem. Hatch also asked about the need for additional classrooms at Panguitch Middle School. Supt. Jolley said he felt a change in the interior of the middle school is the greatest need and suggested using the old high school while changes are made provided a new high school is built. Board member Diane Anderson recommended the middle school and high school in Panguitch be combined and the middle school be eliminated. Jolley stated that this would cause a loss of approximately $70,000 in revenue. He agreed it was H anf alternative, butwpuld have some consequences t consider.- ' 2 F Quay Simons said he felt the board's second priority should be the Escalante facilities and made recommendation for a new gymnasium, switching the two schools, and retrofitting the elemetnary to a high school. Both concrete and modular type construction was discussed. Simons said that heating problems exist at Escalante Elementary. The board voted to hire Gordon Nielson to evaluate all the heating systems throughout the district. He also said he felt there was not enough custodial time spent on both the Escalante grounds and buildings. Jolley reviewed with the board the cost of purchasing proposed land around the Escalante Elementary School, estimated to cost approximately $64,000 for about 16 acres. Several board members agreed that wiring and several other improvements need to be made in each building before school starts in August. Jolley reported that the negotiating committee had met with members of the Garfield Education Association and agreed that $1,143,356 would be available for teachers salaries, which amounts to a four percent increase. The teachers association presented a salary schedule which met the four I percent increaes, changing some of the indexes, so that teachers on the top of the schedule will receive the greatest increases. Bill Mull, from Plateau Resources, reported to the board about the future of Plateau Resources and Ticaboo. He felt that the mine and mill operation would stay as it is now for the next two years, with no additional hiring. Employment at the present time is around 35. Mull indicated that the restaurant and motel will probably close during the winter. Currently the employees are performing only maintenance duties and keeping the mine free of water. The mine and mill are for sale and I there have been negotiations for a I joint venture, he said. Mull said he Q felt there would be no change in population at Ticaboo within the I next year. - I |
