By: Dr. Darron Arlt - PHS Superintendent
“Process” is a prescribed plan to follow to help an organization arrive at either a desired conclusion or, as in the case of our school bond process, to provide clarity to a question. The question for our school board “Do we need to make an investment in school facilities and if so, what scope and dollar amount could we ask our stakeholders to consider?”
In September 2024, the school board hired CWP Architects to conduct a facility audit, which is simply a very thorough assessment of our current reality. In April of 2025, that audit was presented to about 100 stakeholders in the Pirate Gym. The overwhelming response from attendees that evening was for the school board to move forward in the process.
For the next 9 months, a cross section of 15-25 stakeholders met up to 12 times in open school board meetings to discuss, debate, and vote on priorities and potential threshold dollar amounts. Committee members were told early in the process that their ultimate purpose would be to make a recommendation to the board. That recommendation came in an open meeting on January 19th. The school board has since been pondering that recommendation while receiving input from a variety of stakeholders.
On Monday, during their regular monthly meeting, the board affirmed the recommendation of the committee, by majority vote, to authorize a ballot question for all eligible voters in the district. This “ultimate survey” will take place on May 12th as part of the primary election.
The board chose to break the entire $32,535,000 project into two propositions which means there will be two questions on the ballot for voters to consider. Voters will have the option to approve the entire project with 2 “FOR” votes. Or they may reject the entire project with 2 “AGAINST” votes. The third option voters will have is to approve the $26,585,000 question, which is essentially all elements of the project minus the gym and locker rooms, and reject the $5,950,000 question which is the gym and locker rooms. The 2nd question (Gym/Locker Rooms) however, cannot pass unless the first question passes.
The process continues. We will embark on a robust information campaign designed to provide all the information stakeholders will need to make an informed decision on May 12th. Our platforms of communication will be our website, our social media (X and Facebook), open school board meetings, scheduled Q&A sessions in Plainview, Brunswick, and Center, local and regional newspapers, direct mailing, school tours, and information booths. Stakeholders may also reach out directly to any administrator or school board member. Our e-mails are first initial, last name @plainviewschools.org. The school phone # is 402-582-4993 and my cell # is 402-640-6206.
Some stakeholders will have strong opinions about this process and vote which may lead to strife and friction, but this doesn’t have to tear the seams of the fabric of our community. We just need to respect the opinion of our neighbors and the outcome of the vote on May 12th. If it fails, our school board will have pretty clear direction from you on the post vote process they need to follow. If it succeeds, Plainview Public Schools campus should be set for another 50 years.