The third public forum on Wayland Union schools’ plans to seek a bond proposal next May for new and improved facilities featured results of a survey of 300 district residents.

Epic/MRA last month conducted a telephone poll to try to get information about the public’s attitude toward a bond issue for either $48 million or $53.5 million to buy a new swim pool, build a new K-5 elementary, add a sixth grade wing to the junior high and close and sell Pine Street Elementary.

About two dozen people at the session Tuesday evening learned, not surprisingly, the biggest obstacle is cost.

Though two-thirds of the those taking the survey gave the local school district an A or B grade, only 35% to 38% said they’d support the $53.5 million proposal and 48% said they’d approve $48 million plan.

“The less the (proposed) tax rate, the more support for the schools,” said Superintendent Norm Taylor.

Among the naysayers, the biggest reasons were “can’t afford it,” “taxes too high” and “wasteful spending.” Also coming in strongly as a reason was closure of Pine Street School after its 75 years of service.

Taylor stressed that rumors that the district would demolish the old school are false.

“Some people believe we’re going to tear down Pine Street… the plan is to sell it,” the superintendent said.

Pine Street, which now serves fifth- and sixth-graders, has some sentimental value for a significant number of longtime residents because they went to high school there up until 1974 and others went there when it was the junior high for almost 20 years after that.

The building was constructed 75 years ago with plenty of fanfare and celebrations.

But Tower Pinkster, architects and engineers said remodeling and renovations would be almost as costly as building a new facility. They identified the buildings across the street on Pearl Street as causing potential dangers, the school is not up to current fire suppression codes, the kitchen needs extensive remodeling and the rooms for band and orchestra are inadequate.

“It (Pine Street) is not ideal by today’s standards for education,” Taylor said. “It’s showing its age.”

Another mountain to climb for the school bond is the plan to build a new pool, which alone would cost as much as $15 million.

Though rumors have been floating around that if the bond fails, the pool will be closed, Taylor insisted, “We are not going to shutter the pool just to get a millage passed. We’ll keep the pool running for as long as we can.”

He acknowledged that may not be very long, perhaps as few as three years.

When asked if there could be a cheaper option as an alternative to a new pool, Patzer said he and Tower Pinkster would review the question.

But Taylor said turning the current pool into a facility that would accommodate moving the auto body shop and expanding the band and orchestra facilities is part of the package.

Maintenance Supervisor John Huyck said, “We spent $30,000 just for repairs on the pool last year.”

The current facility is not up to state standards for meets.

Plans for the tennis courts are to merge the high school and middle school courts into one 12-court site. The current facilities are riddled with cracks and a state of disrepair.

Another unpopular proposal is for artificial turf to be installed at the football stadium, along with other renovations. Proponents have said the current field has a crown that has created many problems.

One mother said, “I support athletics, but as a taxpayer I can’t afford this. Is there any fat that can be trimmed?”

Another woman in the audience, who was a member of a citizens’ committee replied, “We’ve trimmed this as much as we can. Now our task ahead is to educate the voters.”

But the biggest reason for the facilities expansion and updates is growth.

Taylor said this year’s senior class at Wayland High School has about 180 students and kindergarteners number between 230 and 240. He added there are indications of more growth ahead, particularly with Hunters Glen in Moline, which expects to have 116 new home sites by next fall.

“We’re trying to focus on our needs, not just our wants,” Taylor said.

PHOTO: Dennis Patzer of Tower Pinkster, Director of Instruction Teresa Fulk and Superintendent Norm Taylor listen to an audience member’s question during the third public forum on Wayland Union schools’ plans for a bond issue next spring.