A contingency of more than 80 volunteers has organized to support the Greene County Community School’s effort to pass a school bond referendum on April 3. The name of the committee is Our Kids, Our Future – Greene County and is co-chaired by Keith Van Beek, Bill Raney and Peg Raney.
The group is working on plans to help those in the Greene County Community School District understand the referendum and the importance of a YES vote for the project. Materials, events, mailings, press releases, social media, a website and tours are planned by volunteers supporting this effort. Outreach to large employers and all Greene County communities involved in the vote are important aspects of the campaign.
Van Beek said, “Being relatively new to the community, my wife and I weren’t involved in the campaign for the previous bond issue. We very much supported it, and the prospect of improving the facilities for our kids was a big reason that helped us choose to move to Greene County in the first place. When the opportunity to help head this committee presented itself, I knew that I had to run with it. The future of Greene County is our kids, and this proposed plan including the regional career academy is a game changer. It is a once in a generation opportunity to put our kids and education first, while also providing a substantial economic boost to the entire county.” Van Beek opened a dental clinic in Jefferson in the past year.
Peg Raney is a retired middle school teacher and director of Jefferson Matters: Main Street. She said, “I have many reasons for getting involved. Additional space at the high school for our middle school would allow for collaboration by students and teachers. A new high school building located with the regional career academy is a smart concept. With college costs rising, the opportunity for our students to receive training in high school is forward-thinking for our county, supporting our local, successful industries in training for future employees. In recruitment of new businesses and residents to Greene County, this school bond will provide a lasting impression as people move back or choose to locate where their kids can learn in a stimulating and attractive environment.”
Bill Raney is self-employed in farming and with a local bank, and served on the school board years ago. “I appreciate the tremendous support in employment and tax base that our county receives from local industry and see this as a real boost to them for a trained workforce. Technology is rapidly changing many aspects of the work that is done by local manufacturers, and our link with Iowa Central through the regional career academy will be a great resource”.
The Greene County school board approved working with OPN Architects after a grassroots presentation by Chris Deal and Sid Jones on the opportunity of working with Iowa Central Community College in building a regional academy alongside a new high school located west of American Athletic, Inc. OPN Architects has conducted community meetings and met with school staff to determine needs. A conceptual design will be shared with the public as part of the information presented.
The Greene County school board voted on the state’s pre-determined date of April 3 to vote on the school referendum in the amount not to exceed $21.48 million for a new 9-12 grade building including a competition gym and performing arts center, for a new regional academy, and for remodeling of the current high school for 5-8th grade and administrative offices. Other funding possibilities for this project are being finalized and will be announced in the coming weeks.
Those willing to get involved in the campaign are encouraged to contact the co-chairs or email ourkidsourfuturegreenecounty@gmail.com Donations to Our Kids, Our Future-Greene County can be mailed to P.O. Box 23 or dropped off to treasurers Brandon Hommer and Ethan Murray at Wilcox Law Firm at 115 E Lincoln Way, Suite 200 Jefferson, IA. These donations will be used for the Our Kids, Our Future-Greene County campaign only.
