School board, city council to meet

Molly Shore

For the first time since the election of new school board and City

Council members, the two groups will meet to discuss ways to pool

resources that will benefit the district and the city. The meeting is

at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Buena Vista Branch Library, 300 N. Buena

Vista St., and will be televised on Charter Communications Channel 6.

“I think this is the time for the 10 of us to get together to know

each other and listen to what the other side has to say,” school

board member Dave Kemp said. “Beginning a dialogue with one another

is the key factor in this process.”

In preparation of the joint meeting, school board members and

district administrators this week discussed such topics as the joint

use of school and city facilities, including school playgrounds,

which remain open for public use when school is not in session.

According to Ali Kiafar, chief facilities and development

superintendent, there are 33 acres of grass playgrounds and 24 acres

of paved areas at schools that are open to the public, but which the

school district is paying to maintain.

In light of budget deficits experienced by both entities, Supt.

Gregory Bowman said common purchasing of fuel, supplies and office

equipment is one area where the city and the district might be able

to save money.

Bowman also mentioned the possibility of the two entities looking

at bids for security alarms and elevator repairs. The district used

to have one elevator at its administrative office, but with new

construction at the high schools, there are now 14 elevators in

operation, he said.

Board member Paul Krekorian suggested that the city’s “Got Wheels”

buses might be used during the school year as school transportation.

However, he cautioned, “all these discussions have to be framed as a

partnership, and not ‘what can the city do for us.’ ”

The meetings should be an ongoing regular process instead of being

crisis driven, Krekorian said.