The U.S. Senate has been described as the world’s most exclusive club. In the past, that description might have been apt. All of the members knew each other, and despite the differences of politics, friendships often flourished across the aisle.
Not so these days. These days, the aisle is a deep divide. And while some might applaud the partisanship as preferable to the dealmaking of an old boy network, there’s a lot to be said for compromise.
Just ask Henry Clay.
Or Clinton Skaggs and Kenton Ladenburger.
On Monday night, both members of the USD 382 Board of Education had the best interests of the district in mind. Skaggs was certain that the $1.3 million construction estimate for an addition to Southwest Elementary would be swelled by cost overruns. If the board were to apply for Qualified School Construction Bonds, it should ask for $1.5 million just to be safe. Better to give back the extra if it’s not needed than to scramble for the difference if it is.
Ladenburger, on the other hand, worried that the addition might be misconstrued by the public. Not everyone agrees Haskins Elementary should be shut down, even though the savings far outweigh the cost of expanding Southwest to accommodate the extra students. Some might also disagree on cost grounds. If enough disagree, the project could be put to a public vote with all of the uncertainty and delays that would entail. The higher the price, the more likely it is someone will begin drumming up signatures during the protest period.
Both board members agreed the project is a good one. Federal stimulus funds make the Qualified School Construction Bonds essentially a 0 percent loan over 15 years. Any other financing method would almost double the cost or make the annual payments so expensive the school district could not afford it. So what to do?
“1.4 million,” Ladenburger said. “Compromise.”
It’s gratifying to see local leaders work together and disheartening when national leaders won’t.
