Cedar Rapids Weather
Council Statement on Leif Erikson Confuses School Board
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Statements made at a recent City Council meeting regarding the use of Leif Erikson Park as the site for a new elementary school has school board members puzzled.
During the meeting Monday where citizens used renderings to show how the park could be used, City Councilman Tom Padgett said the city needed to hear from the school instead. The residents are part of a group that wants to use the park as a potential site to replace Bryant Elementary, built in 1889. School board President Doug Batcheller said Padgett’s statement left him confused since the district has approached the city multiple times. “So citizens can bring up an issue, but unless the school brings it up, it’s a moot point?” Batcheller asked. “I thought we already did that and the city voted no. I really don’t know what to say to that.” Batcheller said that the school board will meet to discuss how to respond. Padgett said Friday that the school board needs to bring the issue up because the city can’t tell the district where to build schools. Padgett said that most council members still are not in favor of reopening the discussion. “I was not saying the school needs to bring this back for discussion,” Padgett said. “We’ve already made our decision, they heard it and they are moving on.” The council voted 4-0 in March to not let the school study the park, in the 2900 block of Virginia Street, as a replacement site. In June, the city rejected a request to reconsider its March vote. Despite the city’s decision, the district never officially removed Leif Erikson from consideration. Batcheller said the decision to leave the park on the table was made as a political statement since the board members and several residents believe Leif Erikson is the best location for the school. The district is still working on finding other suitable locations for Bryant, at 821 30th St. It is the oldest building in the district. |
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