Public forum planned for co-op idea
Updated: February 26, 2013
VILLA GROVE -- The school board could have voted Monday night on a co-op with Heritage High School, but a very vocal and determined crowed made sure that didn't happen. The board realized even before the meeting started, that voting to co-op with Heritage High School would have been too soon.
Instead, they plan on holding a public forum. The board will also create an online survey for families to take.
Villa Grove's school board meetings are typically held in a small room. But Monday, they needed the whole cafeteria to fit the crowd.
Some parents sympathize with Heritage's problems. The school can't field its own football team next year without joining Villa Grove. But some are afraid that could lead to a full co-op. And that has parents confused on where certain sports would be played and whether or not the teams would be competitive.
"Any decision that is made for our school needs to have our school as priority. We're not here just to make decisions just to help out other schools that might hinder us. But if we're open to a discussion to what's offered, we might find that there are things that benefit everybody."
Villa Grove's board says it's weighing several factors before making a decision. They include how much money co-op programs would generate, how many players would be on each team and how it would affect programs years down the road.
The public forum is Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 pm. The survey will soon be up on the district's website.
Instead, they plan on holding a public forum. The board will also create an online survey for families to take.
Villa Grove's school board meetings are typically held in a small room. But Monday, they needed the whole cafeteria to fit the crowd.
Some parents sympathize with Heritage's problems. The school can't field its own football team next year without joining Villa Grove. But some are afraid that could lead to a full co-op. And that has parents confused on where certain sports would be played and whether or not the teams would be competitive.
"Any decision that is made for our school needs to have our school as priority. We're not here just to make decisions just to help out other schools that might hinder us. But if we're open to a discussion to what's offered, we might find that there are things that benefit everybody."
Villa Grove's board says it's weighing several factors before making a decision. They include how much money co-op programs would generate, how many players would be on each team and how it would affect programs years down the road.
The public forum is Tuesday, March 12, 6:30 pm. The survey will soon be up on the district's website.
