DANVILLE — About halfway through a recent public meeting, Danville Board of Education President Charlie Bratton picked up a stack of index cards filled with questions.
The index cards were completed by members of the audience sitting in the Danville High School auditorium, eager to voice and hear other opinions about the future of the former Danville Intermediate building — including what would become of it and if everyone in the room could come out with more information than when they arrived.
About halfway through the Q&A, Bratton picked up a card with a question for everyone on the stage.
“Has the board already made their decision? And please, every board member answer.”
Board members took a couple of seconds to formulate their answers and the mic was passed to each member to give their own answer.
Board member Carolyn Addair said she was leaning toward keeping the building intact, one reason being she’s a member of the Sew Special Network since its creation.
David Dusthimer and Darrel Severns both said they haven’t made a decision on the matter.
“I haven’t made up my mind,” Bratton said. “The farmer in me wants to keep something as long any valuable purpose.”
Bratton’s biggest concern, he said, is how the Danville Heritage Association is going to keep funds flowing through the building.
Board member Paul Stover said he had not seen a business plan for the building and did not understand or see a commitment from the library or others who want to use the building.
“My concern is the safety of our students first and foremost,” Stover said. “Everything we’ve done, since I’ve been on the board is to improve safety for our students.”
Danville Heritage Association representative Pat Crow addressed those who held similar safety concerns.
“If there’s any way to address the safety concerns on the behalf of the students and staff for the school’s benefit and not tear this building down we should be pursuing those avenues of development,” he said.
“We are convinced there are other ways to address those issues short of tearing this building down and putting a fence around an empty parking lot.”
Following the meeting, Crow referenced aerial studies in the intermediate parking lot area, and noted there are ways to add parking around the school that would not include razing the intermediate building.
Crow also discussed surrounding properties around the school where the district doesn’t have control over who’s in those buildings.
“We’re not dismissing the safety issues,” Crow said. “We totally support safe students, safe staff and protecting our schools.”
Part One was published Wednesday. You can read it by clicking here.
