Clarkston board seeks input on school options

The Clarkston School Board meeting next week will have a different format to allow discussion from the community about options for Clarkston High School.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Educator Support Center, 1294 Chestnut St. in Clarkston. There will be no action by the school board but it will have open discussion between the community and board members. In the typical meeting format, community members can talk during the public comment period and the board can discuss only items on the agenda.

Voters rejected a bond to build a new high school in April, with 48.2% against and 51.8% in favor, and the bond needed a majority of 60% plus one. This past summer, Walla Walla Community College assisted the board with focus groups that discussed what worked and what didn’t work with that bond. In those meetings, the two areas that were brought up the most were cost of the bond and the need for better communication with the community.

Superintendent Thaynan Knowlton said that while the board won’t be directing the conversation or have an agenda, the first hour of the meeting will discuss the cost of the high school. Then there will be a short break and the second hour will address communication.

Knowlton said one of the reasons for the two topic discussion was to be mindful about time. But he also said there could be additional community discussions if there’s interest.

“I’m interested to hear what feedback and ideas the community has,” Knowlton said.

A semi-formal group from the Asotin County Republicans has begun to form in opposition to the bond. Kitty Anderson and Todd Snarr, who ran for school board in November and lost to Chris Bunce, are leading the efforts, according to Alan Jones, who is also part of the group.

Jones said about 30 to 40 people from the Say No to the School Levy group are planning to attend the meeting, but Jones is hoping hundreds from the community show up to allow for more ideas and solutions.

“Either pro or con,” Jones said. “It’s important there’s a good turnout.”

Jones said those attending from the group will be there to listen to the board and participate in the discussion.

The Clarkston School Board hasn’t made any decisions regarding a bond or the current high school. Recent meetings have discussed different building options that are available, including the design bid build method, general contractor/construction manager method and the progressive build method.

During the meeting, the board won’t sit at a table while those in attendance sit in chairs facing the board, which is typical for the meetings. Instead, the board will sit with those attending to allow more open discussion.

“We really just want to listen,” Knowlton said.

Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.