STATION EDITORIAL

Posted July 12, 2023

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

With much fanfare, the Taylorville School Board almost a year ago announced to the community their intent to tear down the East Gym at the high school, along with the adjacent former Junior High School, to build a new fine arts performance center.  The initial plans called for the building to cost some 16-million dollars.   The board then worked to cut the price by cutting features.

There was a lot of chatter in the community about what was going to be built and what it would cost.   Those in support of some type of field house addition to the fine arts center contended that due to the tearing down of the East Gym, a field house was needed.

Other needs expressed included mental health classrooms.

Since that time, a lot has happened, including a school board election.  Several board members that were instrumental in getting the project to nailing down what it would be and what it would cost, are no longer on the board.

The board went ahead and voted to tear down the East Gym and old Junior High School, without deciding on WHAT exactly was going to be built, or its cost.

Further discussion in the July Eleventh board meeting, again ended with the board appointing a focus group to decide what direction to go.   This is after the previous board that made the decision to build, did the same thing leading up to the plans the architects provided them nearly a year ago.

The longer they delay a decision, the more whatever they decide to build, will cost.    In the meantime, the gaping hole in the main high school structure, is there for all to drive by and say:   Why did they do that?

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.