BANCROFT - More than 100 people crowded into the St. John's cafeteria on Monday, April 14, to hear discussion on North Kossuth's proposal to move its elementary program from Bancroft to Swea City.
The district is concerned about health risks named by The Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA) in several memos and reports. In a memo dated May 4, 2007, Paul Baer of IEA stated that the acoustical ceiling spray on the ceiling of the second floor hallway and classrooms contained asbestos. The memo also indicated that roof leaks have been an issue since the lease started (in 2002) and stated that the asbestos was beginning to separate from the plaster and would release asbestos fibers into the air if it fell.
St. John replaced the roof in 1997 and has done repairs several times since that time. In the memo, IEA stated that even if the roof leaks were stopped, there was a potential for asbestos to fall, and it should be removed and a suspended ceiling installed.
An email sent to North Kossuth Superintendent Mike Landstrum on Monday, April 14, again stated that the asbestos ceiling should be removed.
According to Landstrum, after the rain the county received on Thursday, April 10, students in the third grade classroom at the Bancroft facility were moved to the music room due to water leaking from the light fixtures. As of Monday, the students were being housed in the music room and music lessons were taking place in the cafeteria.
Along with the health issues stated by Landstrum, other reasons to consider the move include that with the middle school moving to Sentral as part of whole grade sharing, there will be room at the Swea City building for the elementary students, and it would ease management of the district by having students in one building.
"Health is the big issue," Landstrum stated. "I'm getting it from both sides, the people who don't want us to leave and the people who don't understand why we are still there."
Several North Kossuth teachers indicated their preference to leave with Tyler Urich, K-12 vocal music instructor, stating he has lost nearly 30 hours in the elementary classrooms due to late starts and early outs.
"I've been the traveling musician the past couple of days because of the water leaks," Urich said. "It would be nice if the students could be in one place."
"Asbestos is not a new word. If you want to scare yourself, Google asbestos," stated Lori Kissner, the first grade teacher for North Kossuth. "I've never been scared to be in this building before. I love this school. I love the people, but this is really about safety."
Advocating for the school to stay in Bancroft was Charlie Kennedy.
"I have seen the ceiling on the second floor, and it's not very pretty," stated Kennedy. Could this be resolved between the landlord and tenant?"
Kennedy also mentioned that North Kossuth has the lowest tax levy of any county school, stating that negated cost savings as a reason to pull out of Bancroft.
"There has been a vocal minority advocating moving since the lease was signed," said Kennedy. "There are two reasons in my opinion this is a strategic mistake. One is the impression that North Kossuth is happy to have Bancroft's children and tax money but not have a facility. The other is the message it sends to the people of Sentral. Instead, I ask the school board to show its commitment to Bancroft by negotiating an extension of the current lease."
In response to questions from the audience Landstrum admitted to not speaking with Father Paul Bormann since October.
"Communication could be better from both sides. Things are not going well, but it's not all my fault," said Landstrum. "Father Bormann is a hard guy to talk to, but I won't go into my personal feelings."
Several parents stated their concerns that the students were being exposed to asbestos.
"If the problem is not fixed, my (preschool aged) son will either be in Swea City or somewhere else," stated Rod Lang.
Landstrum stated that if the ceiling began to fall, students would be moved to the Swea City center.
"We've only got a month and a half left. If that didn't work out we could exit the elementary early," Landstrum stated.
He also explained that St. John's would be liable in any litigation.
"We were told we cannot put money into the facility. We were told not to paint," he stated. "We were told not to put in more lights."
Former school board member Jim Bolling clarified his statement from last week about warning the school district to not get on a "level playing field with Algona."
"I was not talking about education. I have always supported North Kossuth schools," Bollig stated.
Instead, he stated he was referring to studies that state the primary reason people open-enroll out of a district is convenience and pathways of travel.
"There appears to be an intentional effort to sensationalize this that has been very successful," Bollig stated. "People think this has not been handled very well at all. A government body does not have to provide services at the lowest cost. It needs to provide services acceptable to the people it serves. You have a super tough decision, and I stand by my remarks make in Swea City."
Twice Landstrum stated that if the roof and ceiling were repaired, he would not be pursuing moving the elementary at this time.
"If there were no health issue, we would not move," he said. "We have enough on our plate this summer with whole grade sharing coming up."
Landstrum stated he would attempt to speak with Bormann on Wednesday, April 16, and that no decision has been made.
"I can assure you no decision has been made. This issue could be tabled," he stated.
A recommendation, discussion and board decision regarding moving the elementary program from Bancroft to Swea City is listed under new business for the North Kossuth Community School Board meeting to be held Thursday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m., in Ledyard.