Is now the right time for Grand Island Northwest to ask voters for millions to build a new school?

That's question number one in the campaign brochure. Why build now? The answer from administrators suggests advantages to expanding when interest rates and construction costs are low.

If voters approve a new middle school, there'll be more opportunities they argue. On Monday, kids from four different elementary schools sang in harmony, preparing for a joint middle school concert. With a middle school building, they could offer more classes for kids.

Superintendent Bill Mowinkel said, "The big push behind this is career exploration for middle school students."

The district currently has four feeder schools, two in rural Grand Island, with the others in St. Libory and Chapman. They would keep those schools open, moving middle school kids to an
addition at Northwest High School.

Mowinkel pointed out the $6.8 million middle school would be a separate building for up to 300 kids, on the same property. 

"We think it makes all kinds of sense from an efficiency point of view, an academic point of
view," he said.

But does it make sense from an economic point of view?

"That's a tough question," Mowinkel said.

Taxes would go up. Property valued at $100,000 would be taxed another $96 a year. 

Mowinkel said, "On an acre of ag land, it's about two dollars. If you raise 200 bushels an acre corn, it's about a penny a bushel."

Administrators argue interest rates are low, and contractors are bidding low to get work. But not everyone sings the praises of the idea. A farmer and former Northwest board member has questioned the need and the cost. Is it the right time? Voters will decide.

This is the fourth year Northwest has been a K-12 district. Previously the feeder schools had their own school boards. If built, the middle school would have a gym, auditorium, and new parking.

Reporter's Notes by Steve White:
Former board member Ned Meier previously told NTV he thought the cost for the project was too high.

There has been debate about whether or not the district is required to have a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for kids that would include career exploratory classes. However, the district since learned that provision was not included in the rules schools must follow.