MODOC – The question was projected on the large screen.
"Is it in the best educational interest of our students to consolidate Union with another school?"
That question was presented by Union School Board President Todd Holaday at the beginning of a special board meeting Monday night.
The answers, coming from a standing-room-only crowd in the Union High School cafeteria, were mixed, some saying "yes," the time has come, and others saying "no," keep the school district alive as long as possible.
Before public comments, Holaday offered some comments about the district's financial and enrollment woes. The four other board members – Garth Jenkins, Christa Ellis, Scott Houser and Alan McCormick – and some administrators were seated at a table with him at the front of the room.
"The majority of the board believes that now is the best time to do this," Holaday said.
The reasons, he noted were: declines in enrollment will continue; academic concerns cannot financially be addressed; additional expense cuts are not appropriate; the general fund cash balance is rapidly declining; the district's outstanding debt is a little lower than the cash balance; state support will soon drop about $200,000 more, and "waiting will decrease our bargaining position."