Letter to the Editor: Demand town hall from Wood BOE, too
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The Wood County Board of Education is slated to start building a new school in Vienna to consolidate Neale and Vienna elementary schools. This consolidation stems from the bond that passed in 2022. The proposed location of the new school is off of Rosemar Road in Jackson Park.
I attended some of the public forums the BOE held when they were campaigning for the bond. They regularly communicated their intent was to build on the location of the current Vienna Elementary School so they wouldn't have to purchase property to build on. When it came time to put the bond on the ballot, the ballot language stated the consolidated school would be built in the vicinity of Vienna. With this language the Board of Education would not be obligated to build on any specific location. This was a clear bait and switch tactic to get the BOE what they really wanted. The bond passed by a mere fifty-five votes. This means there was less than a one percent difference in the amount of people who wanted the bond and those who didn't want the bond. Fifty-five votes does not give the BOE a mandate to do as they wish without input from the people they are elected to represent.
I have seen the presentation and renderings of the new school. Pickering and Associates presented the plan to the BOE at the last board meeting. A couple of days later they presented the plan to Vienna City Council. After seeing the presentation twice, I feel like the proposed location is the best and most feasible place to build the school. Pickering has done an excellent job presenting the plans.
The City of Vienna held a town hall with Pickering and two representatives from the Wood County BOE for the citizens of Vienna to talk about concerns and answer questions about the new school. I absolutely applaud Vienna and Pickering for their willingness to do this. I feel that the Board of Education owes it to the residents of Vienna to hold their own town hall meeting to discuss this and explain why this is the best location for the school. If you live in Vienna I strongly urge you to demand the Wood County Board of Education hold their own town hall or special meeting about this so they can answer your questions and concerns.
Chad Conley
Mineral Wells