School board narrowly approves gym addition: Board members split; opposition raises concerns on cost, timeframe

GRUNDY CENTER – Emotions ran high at the Grundy Center School Board meeting last Wednesday, as the board was faced with a decision: approve the proposed second gym at the middle school-high school for an estimated cost of $3 million, or delay the vote and consider other options.
Ultimately, a majority vote led to the approval of the gym project, but not without considerable comment from members of the public, as well as coaches and administrators on both sides of the issue.
Although every board member, coach and community member who spoke at the meeting was in favor of building a new gym, the ‘when,’ ‘where’ and ‘how’ of the gym were not as easily agreed upon.
During the public forum, community members voiced concerns about whether or not the board had considered other options for the size and location of the gym, or whether or not there was enough input from community members, coaches and administrators during the initial discussion of the gym. Several community members said they thought the board should delay voting, and take more time to look at options.
For the full story, see the April 28 edition of The Grundy Register.