Charlestown’s Auto-Tech building put on hold

GCCS member: ‘No’ voters accepted donations from other architects

By TARA HETTINGER

Accusations flew that school board members are accepting donations for their campaigns in favor of voting a certain way after the Greater Clark County Schools board voted down a contract with an architectural firm to build the auto-tech building for Charlestown High School.

The board voted 4-2 against the project, with President Ernie Gilbert, Vice President Christina Gilkey, board members Brian Jones and Bob McEwen voting against. Robbie Valentine was absent and board members Missy DeArk and Becka Christensen were the only two voting in favor.

The proposed contract to Voelker, Blackburn, Niehoff was projected to cost $10,000 to $12,000. The budget for the building is $125,000 to $150,000, according to the contract.

Prior to the vote, Chief Financial Officer Frank Collesano explained to the board why he was recommending this one firm. He said that local firms did not have experience building auto-tech buildings, so he talked to one he worked with at Jefferson County Public Schools who did. He said they have built three multi-million dollar auto-tech facilities and have plenty of work. However, since they know him as well as Superintendent Stephen Daeschner, they agreed to do the project.

DeArk announced before the vote that she thought this group, based on their experience, would be the best for the job. She also cited state law saying that bids don’t need to be taken for architects.

“We have a sign right here saying, ‘Does this decision help kids?’” DeArk said, pointing to the back of her nameplate on the desk. “And I definitely think this decision will help kids with someone with expertise designing this.”

After the vote was made and it was time for board member comments, DeArk let her opinion out, saying that she thinks the “no” votes were due to contributions from architectural firms to board members’ campaigns.

“I think that’s what’s happening here and I’m real disappointed [that you are] pushed to vote in their favor,” she said.

The meeting was quickly closed after that while the four watched DeArk with their eyes wide.

Jones said after the meeting was over that he voted no, since the correct process had not been followed.

“I have not gotten any donations from architectural firms,” he said. “I thought it should have gone out to bid to allow other people to go out for the job. That’s what we’ve always done.”

However, DeArk disagreed on both accounts, saying that bids aren’t always taken and that he has accepted at least one donation. She provided The Evening News with a copy of the Indiana Election Commission’s summary sheet for “Committee to Elect Brian Jones,” dated April 15, 2006. It lists a personal donation from a person named T. Estopinal for $100. DeArk said that Estopinal and the architectural firm with the same name are tied together.

She said she does not have proof on other board members, but said that donations under $100 don’t have to be itemized. She said that means that some may have received money in the past, but did not have had to claim it.

“This is bull crap!” DeArk exclaimed as she went through that paperwork. “It’s not in the best interest of kids.”

Gilkey said DeArk’s accusation is a serious one to have been brought up during a public meeting. She too said that she has not accepted any donations from an architectural firm. She said she voted no due to the process.

“On Oct. 27 they toured the building. We had not approved them to do work,” she said of Voelker, Blackburn, Niehoff.

Meanwhile, that means this project is put on hold until a solution is found. Marty Bell, chief operating officer, said after the meeting that an architect or engineer has to oversee the construction of new buildings that are budgeted for more than $100,000, according to state law.

“I think it’s wrong, because for one thing, [those voting no are] trying to get in people they have contacts with,” said Pat York, assistant teacher of the existing auto-tech program at the high school that will no longer be in existence once the renovations are complete at the school. “This vote should have went through. They won’t get an architect for $10,000. These people are doing them a favor.”

Gilkey asked Bell after the meeting to have this issue brought up again at the next meeting, with more information so that she can make an informed decision.

Also at the meeting:

• The board voted 3-3, with Gilbert, Gilkey and Jones voting against, to purchase a new vehicle.

According to the board packet and Daeschner, the administration was requesting funds to buy a Ford Escape XLS 4x4 for $18,973 to have a fourth vehicle to survey the roads during the winter months to see if school can be in session.

Gilbert said he voted against, since the district as well as the state are in a budget crunch.

• Assistant Superintendent Travis Haire updated the board on the H1N1 status. He said all elementary school students who want the vaccine will receive it either this week or Monday.

He said attendance at schools is already doing better, averaging about 90 percent. However, he said that’s still lower than the 95 percent or higher that’s the norm.

Haire said the district is distributing the vaccine as soon as it gets it. He said the slowdown is due to how the vaccine is coming into the county.

• The board also approved a consulting contract with Kirk Freeman, who did work with the district last year. His contract is for $18,000 and includes three days of professional development and 15 days of coaching teachers in how to teach to the various academic levels students are at in one classroom.