UPDATED: MEETING DATES CHANGED ... WRV School Board hires firm to do feasibility study

The meetings scheduled for tonight, Tuesday and Thursday concerning the White River Valley School Corporation's feasibility study have been changed.

According to WRV Superintendent Layton Wall there was a misunderstanding on the dates.

"MGT of America cannot be here this week. This is unfortunate and creates a bit of a challenge," Wall said.

The meetings and visits to the schools will now be:

* Jan. 18 at Lyons.

* Jan. 19 at Worthington.

* Jan. 20 at WRV Jr./Sr. High.

The community events will also occur on the same nights and same places the day visits occur. They will start at 6 p.m. and likely conclude at 7:30.

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It seems like yesterday that L&M, Switz City Central, and Worthington-Jefferson schools consolidated to form the White River Valley School Corporation.

Actually the paperwork was completed and the corporation became official on Jan. 1, 1988. The physical consolidation was for the 1990-91 school year.

"This was the first graduating class of White River Valley School Corporation," WRV Superintendent Layton Wall said.

I remember chatting with former WRV superintendent Stephen Campbell several times years ago about how the junior high and elementary students could eventually end up at the Switz City campus too.

The former L&M and Worthington-Jefferson campuses became elementary and junior high schools until the 2005-06 school year when the junior high schools were transferred to the Switz City campus.

Now, the WRV Board of School Trustees wants to look at what needs to be done with the two elementary schools.

Why?

Financial reasons.

The WRV School Board has hired MGT of America -- a Seattle company -- to conduct a building, curriculum and transportation feasibility study. Due to decreased enrollment and reduced state funding the board is considering options for future planning, Wall explained.

MGT of America will meet with school board officials, administrators, staff and students. Community meetings have also been scheduled.

"We are not assuming anything at this point. MGT of America will provide the board with their recommendations," Wall said.

"The board and community will analyze the recommendations and proceed from there. At this time all options are on the table."

Wall hopes community members will take part in the meetings to share their opinions.

His goals for the meetings are to learn more about:

* Building and facility needs.

* Transportation efficiency.

* Community, staff and student involvement and participation in the feasibility study and also when MGT brings recommendations to the board, what does the community want?

* Curriculum needs.

* How to reduce expenditures and become more efficient and still deliver quality education and programs the WRV community expects.

Wall added that if attendance warrants, the evening meetings will be moved to the gym at each site.