Independence board passes on facilities assessment

After months of presentations, discussions, and deliberation, the Independence school board reviewed the latest version of the contract submitted by Upper 90, an energy service company that offers various facility and infrastructure improvements.

Although Clerk Brian Bautch had previously agreed to work with Upper 90 — which had waived a $5,000 facilities assessment fee in good faith to support a potential ongoing relationship — he ultimately made a motion not to proceed with the contract. The motion was seconded by board member Jennifer Solberg.

“I think we’re doing okay right now the way we are,” Bautch said. “You know they’re gonna come in here and find things wrong. What’s wrong with our building? If something is wrong then we fix it. Why do we have to hire someone to tell us what’s wrong?”

Board vice president Jen Rombalski and District Administrator Paul Franzwa countered Bautch’s approach, stating that they were not experts themselves, which was precisely the reason for having Upper 90 perform the assessment.

“Of course they will (find things wrong) — the building is 30 years old. That’s the entire point of the assessment,” Rombalski responded.

Bautch maintained his stance that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Rombalski emphasized that the assessment posed no risk to the district and came at no cost since Upper 90 had waived their typical fee. She expressed confusion over the board’s sudden hesitation.

“I’m just not sure where our lack of distrust is coming from, what am I missing there? They are offering to do an assessment for no charge, and it feels like we’re being paranoid, and I don’t understand where that is coming from,” Rombalski said.

Rombalski firmly stated she would not support the motion on the floor. Franzwa reminded the group that part of the referendum included maintaining current facilities.

Ultimately, the motion not to move forward passed by a 3–1 vote, with Treasurer Robert Guza voting in favor of the motion, stating he simply didn’t feel it was the right time.

The Independence school board heard a presentation on a new reading and writing curriculum featuring Wit and Wisdom, which appeared to best support the district’s current student population. Key features of the curriculum include the use of more authentic texts, shorter lessons, upgraded materials to improve usability for teachers, and increased visuals for classroom instruction. The cost of the curriculum is approximately $33,000, which will be covered by the current budget for implementation in the 2025–26 school year. The board approved the curriculum adoption.

The council reviewed the high school student handbook revisions and President Joe Bragger expressed concerns multiple times about the handbook not having more strict guidelines for disciplinary actions when students are not following the rules or being disruptive. 

“Take a look, with yourselves, with the teachers, if you can find a way to put more tough language in with little harder consequences but give you the flexibility to work with it, and we all understand where we want to go,” stated Bragger

Ultimately the handbook revisions were approved with Bragger encouraging further review of the handbook to have clear and concise guidelines for disciplinary action, particularly for repeating offenses.