Saturday, January 10, 2009

West Bend School Board Looks to Condemn Jackson Property for New School

Hmmmmm… seems to me like the West Bend School Board may be getting a bit ahead of itself. 

The West Bend School Board is considering condemning a piece of land in Jackson on which to put a new Jackson Elementary School.

   Superintendent Patricia Herdrich said school boards can condemn properties, but West Bend doesn’t want to condemn properties with houses on them.

   A six-acre parcel the board is considering is vacant and owned by a developer. The board is considering other portions of land as well, Herdrich said.

   At a work session Monday, an attorney will be on hand to answer board members’ questions.

   Whether or not to condemn land will be discussed in open session. Herdrich wouldn’t give specific land parcels being considered. Possible Jackson land purchase has been discussed in closed session meetings.

   Condemning land means the district may buy the land at the appraised value in order to put a school on the property. The district has to prove using the land is the only solution for the school, Herdrich said.

This is a legal use of eminent domain, but from where is the money going to come?  As I understand it, there isn’t any money in the budget for rebuilding Jackson Elementary.  That’s why they are going to referendum for the funds.  The referendum has already failed once and they are introducing it again during a recession - thus it is unlikely to pass.  So what happens if the board condemns the property and the referendum fails?  How will they pay for it? 

Then again, the story doesn’t give a timeline.  Perhaps they are just getting their ducks in a row so that they can make quick decisions if the referendum passes. 

If you’d like to weigh in, here’s when they’ll be talking about it:

   The work session runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at West Bend West High School. The board does not take action at work sessions, but could come to a general consensus on direction.

(21) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1004 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Just posted this on my blog this a.m., too…

    I think it is pretty presumptuous to be this far in the planning stage, including taxpayer money spent on lawyer fees, etc.  I wonder how much cash has been spent on the process so far?  If the referendum does not succeed, and I do not believe it will unless changes are made, then we are talking about MORE wasted taxpayer money.  I am quite tired of excessive expenditure, as I am sure many others are.

    Posted by GAMazy on January 10, 2009 at 1421 hrs


  2. Did they not get the memo about the recession?  What is it with this state and the governments at all levels?  They have an unsatiable appetite for the money of others and nobody seems all that worked up about it. We keep electing the same shlubs.  I’m shocked that Hardin wasn’t unanimously returned to the MPS board.  Doyle was re-elected by 2-1.  What am I missing here?

    Posted by Steve on January 10, 2009 at 1434 hrs


  3. I’m shocked that Hardin wasn’t unanimously returned to the MPS board

    Yea, I think I owe Owen and anybody else who took me up on my wager that she would win reelection. However, divine intervention spared everyone a lot of grief.

    I read to day that she has been on the board for 12 years Steve. We reelect the same shlubs because nobody runs.

    Back to the subject at hand. Wow, seizing property without a plan, money or the backing of the people, in the form of a referendum.  It is a good think lots of new candidates submitted papers to put some sanity on that board… New candidates did file, Yes?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 10, 2009 at 1636 hrs


  4. John ~

    Yes, three new candidates are in the running.

    Carl Knepel, West Bend West HS student:  An 18-year-old who is liberal, runs on emotions and not ready for any school board position.

    Randy Stark: West Bend Mutual Facilities Manager = I don’t know his personal views, but here is what I observed as he worked on the CFAC-2 committee:

    Randy Stark (developer)saying time and again to be “forthcoming” with the community because a “second referendum is closer than you think”.

    Randy Stark (yes, again) pushing the team to consider long-term goals, identifying and listing costs and playing devil’s advocate.

    Tim Stepanski:  A fiscal conservative whose desire is to represent parents and pull the reigns back on spending.  I am in full support of Tim at this time.

    Posted by GAMazy on January 10, 2009 at 1732 hrs


  5. Tim Stepanski works for RTA Cabinets.

    Posted by GAMazy on January 10, 2009 at 1742 hrs


  6. Excellent! You can’t change the game without new people in the game.

    Now raise some money and pound the streets for them. Spare no effort.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 0907 hrs


  7. Already on it!  wink

    Posted by GAMazy on January 11, 2009 at 1349 hrs


  8. Get Owen to help you out physically and financially or have him forever hold his peace.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1410 hrs


  9. Is that the rules?  Nobody is allowed to comment unless they donate money to campaigns and do doors?  Not to say that I’m not going to, but if those are the rules you should probably do the same before you comment under any posts about the West Bend School District.

    Posted by Owen on January 11, 2009 at 1412 hrs


  10. “Is that the rules?”  rolleyes How about “Are those the rules?”  Sheesh.

    Posted by Owen on January 11, 2009 at 1413 hrs


  11. Ok lets get one thing straight Carl knepel is NO LIBERAL
    I worked with for quite awhile at the John McCain office In germantown wi, so i know all about his strong conservative views
    and why not have a 18 year old on the board its about time we straighten our priorities since it seems no one else can.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1417 hrs


  12. If Carl is conservative/republican, whatever, then he has a strange way of portraying it at the public school board meetings.  He has been rude and disrespectful to parents, stood strong for the “gay community”, and doesn’t seem to understand the financial workings within the district.  Like I said, nice kid, immature and GIVES THE APPEARANCE of liberalism.  Sorry, that is how I see it.  I have been watching him a long time.

    Posted by GAMazy on January 11, 2009 at 1433 hrs


  13. John,

    I don’t “get” people to do things.  I let them decide for themselves whom they would choose for candidates and hope they will do the right thing and lend a hand if they so desire.  If Owen wants to support someone, then he will know what he feels he should do about it, just as I am doing.  Perhaps you would like to lend a hand?

    Posted by GAMazy on January 11, 2009 at 1436 hrs


  14. Well, while you guys whine about the “rules” and symantics about “get,” your oppostion is leaving you in the dust. No wonder “conservatives” don’t win, but man can they blog and complain about why they never win and the consequences of loosing.

    Here is my contribution to the WBSD election: You don’t “get” the order if you don’t earn it and ask for it. That is a simple rule of business and you can apply it to votes, money, or effort.

    So maybe I would lend a hand but I will ask you the same question anybody else will ask you. Why should I? You really don’t sound like you want to win.

    I hope that doesn’t offend you like my call to arms did. Touchey, touchey. Don’t plan a victory party.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1511 hrs


  15. excuse me. I’m Carl Knepel and I’d like to thank my supporters for defending my positions and record and like to say I’m disappointed that some dont understand it and would like to set the record straight.  First of all, I would say that any school district employee you talk to would say I have shown nothing but respect and maturity during meetings.  And just to express a different view openly is not rude.  my so called “staying strong for the gay community” as I explained countless times was nothing of the sort.  I supported the passing of a policy that kept kids of different sexual orientations safe. i do not agree with a gay lifestyle but that is not my decison to make for other people and they have the right to be protected. And as for the charge of I dont understand the financial components of the district I find this difficult to prove since it was my work last year that helped get a different fee policy implemented that surged student activity and have been placed on two very important committees in the past months that deal directly with finanical issues (high school structure committee, high school structure and re-design committee) and have observed and given insightful input at a multitude of personnel & finance committee meetings the current school board holds

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1514 hrs


  16. John,

    You just assume that we’re not working to change things.  GAMazy has already said that she is.  I didn’t rule it out.  I need to learn about the candidates first to see if I like any of them.  But if there’s one I like, I most certainly will.  I have volunteered and worked for several campaigns at the federal, state, and city level.  So check your criticism at the door.  You don’t know what the hell you are talking about.

    Posted by Owen on January 11, 2009 at 1518 hrs


  17. You came off as a sensible person with an intelligent statement, but you completely lost that appeal when you claimed that Carl didn’t know “what the hell” he was talking about.

    Intelligent arguments can only be maintained when reckless statements like that are avoided.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1544 hrs


  18. Um… I was talking to John.  That’s why my comment starts with “John.”  Gotta keep up there…

    Posted by Owen on January 11, 2009 at 1549 hrs


  19. Hmm, I think that land is a good as condemed.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1644 hrs


  20. Owen, that is my mistake. However, my opinions on your final comment remain adamant.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1716 hrs


  21. Then again, the story doesn’t give a timeline.  Perhaps they are just getting their ducks in a row so that they can make quick decisions if the referendum passes.

    That would be the correct analysis.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2009 at 1825 hrs


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