“This has been a journey”
By Bob Robinson 

GREENVILLE – “This was a shock to my system after six times,” said Greenville Schools Treasurer Carla Surber. “I was putting one foot in front of me the entire campaign… now we have to start thinking long term.” 

Surber said she should probably have a better timeline next week but nothing can happen until the district receives the certification from the Board of Elections. That can take up to 30 days. 

Once that is done, the district will meet with the bond underwriter and the district’s bond attorney to work out a timeline on the best avenue to sell the bonds. 

“There is no question mark that they will be purchased,” she said. “They’ll be presented to a rating agency which will then determine the credibility of the bonds.” 

She said, depending on the agency, the highest possible rating would be a Triple A Plus. 

“They review the financials of the district to determine the rating. We have pretty good hopes that we’ll be rated well.” 

According to Greenville Schools Superintendent Doug Fries the toughest part will be the renovation of the high school. 

“The high school renovations have to start soonest,” Fries said. “They are the hardest because the kids have to move in.” 

He noted the K-8 building will be about three years out. 

“The design work will take about a year, then it will take about 18 to 19 months to build. There will be specs required by the state… we’ll have to choose within them.” 

He noted some of the features will include upgraded classroom technology, air conditioning, hallways, security, monitors. Everything will be more computerized. 

“Some of these areas – like an art room for instance – require a lot of planning. The building will be designed to meet 21st century standards.” 

Surber and Fries took time from the celebration to discuss the process and timeline for Greenville’s new school. Food, laughter and congratulations were continuing around them at Memorial Hall on Aug. 8 following the successful levy attempt on Aug. 6. 

It was an appreciation for “all the hard work” by staff, friends, supporters and volunteers who helped the district reach its goal. 

Enid Goubeaux was one of those supporters. 

“Greenville has a future!” she said, smiling. She had been concerned the district had tried so many times and there were still those who said Greenville is about the farmers and retired people… the kids leave town anyway. 

“They leave town because there are no jobs,” she added with emphasis. Now that the community has supported its local school district she believed Greenville can grow, will have a future. 

Looking around her, Surber said “this is the most momentous, most positive thing I’ve seen in this community in a long time.” 

While still in a celebratory mood, some supporters were cognizant of the 43 percent of the public who didn’t vote for the levy. “They will be watching us,” one of them said. 

Another said, “One lady told me she’d never voted for a Greenville levy before. ‘I will this time. Don’t screw it up!’” 

Fries was asked if the administration offices were going to be moved to the new building. 

“There is no plan to move it there,” he said. “The plan is to keep it here.” 

He was also asked about the sale or leasing of the junior high and other school buildings. He said all options were possible. 

“The junior high would be tough to operate, for instance,” he said. “It wouldn’t be wise to lease it because we’d lose the state portion of the expense if we ended up having to demolish it later. And who’s going to invest in a 1923 building?” 

Maybe a college might expand there… it could happen. 

“I’m open-minded,” he said. “If someone gives us something that would work.” 

Surber talked about the grass roots expertise that got the job done this time around, noting no “professional” could have done better. 

She had one more thought about what had been accomplished on Aug. 6… 

“Not a moment goes by that I don’t appreciate what the people of this school district have done for this community. Their enthusiasm and caring is something I will never forget. This has been a journey!” 

Published courtesy of The Early Bird