Saturday, September 5, 2009
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. - Livingston County senior citizens plan to petition school board members to drop a proposal to build a facility that they would share with middle school students. Two senior citizen board members said they will submit petition signatures to the school board at its Sept. 15 meeting.
Chillicothe R-II School District officials offered the idea of a shared building to the local senior organization, known as Concerned Christians of the Community. Conceptually, the school would build a structure to house a senior center, an early childhood center, and seven middle school classrooms. Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith said adults and children would benefit through interaction such as reading and conversation.
For safety reasons, the school demolished its former middle school building this summer and the district is now using mobile classrooms.
Concerned Christians operates from several locations in Chillicothe, including a thrift clothing store and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program offices. The school district's plan would bring all senior programs under one roof, said Concerned Christians board member Marvin Holcer.
The petition has circulated for nearly a month and has almost 500 signatures in opposition, said fellow board member Leroy Butts. Sentiment among seniors who eat meals at the Grand River Multi-Purpose Center is unanimous regarding the building project, Mr. Holcer said.
"We're going to tell them how we feel about this," Mr. Butts said. "We'll be there in force. ... Seniors are mad."
Two public meetings, attended by both sides, to explore the idea only resulted in irate opinions.
"The seniors do not want in with the kids," Mr. Holcer said. "They want to have their own place."
Seniors are concerned about exposure to contagious diseases, injuries due to the children's activities and which group would have control of the kitchen and dining room, Mr. Holcer added.
The seniors also are concerned about construction costs and sharing utilities. Current estimates place the construction cost at $8.5 million.
Dr. Smith said partnering with the senior organization is an essential component of the proposal. No timetable has been announced.
Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.
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tydej says...
What does being a christian have to do with this, I really don't see the need for religion in this matter. I find it funny how people must throw their god into every matter. If people like the school boards plan dose this now make them a bad or unreligious person? I'm not very religious but this group should follow their montra....WWJD (what would jesus do).
September 5, 2009 at 12:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chara says...
why are they afraid of diseases,these children have shots before they enter school. i'am a senior citizen i see the smiles when you go to your local school and read to them
i'am also a christian who follows the teachings of christ. this kind of enteraction will be a great benifit to the school and the comunity.
it would be nice to see a simmular program in stjoe. i'am just amazed to hear a christian group would be afraid to share time and space with kids when both sides could get so much from it. just my view,but,does make you shake your head.
September 5, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksmith says...
I would have to agree with them on the sickness part. Children bring colds and flus to school. Seniors are more suseptible to this and it can turn into much more with them. Besides, they have senior centers so they have a place to go have fun with people there own age.
September 5, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gamblrslady says...
How sad that these seniors feel they need to be segregated from children! They will be exposed to more illness every time they frequent the local discount store than they will from the kids. Just think of the germs on the cart handles!!
Seniors and kids have so much to share with each other. Rather than fighting this they should be looking for ways to make it work. Many of those kids don't have grandparents and many seniors don't have grandchildren close to them. Get up out of your chairs and volunteer at the school - You will have something to look forward to every day.
September 5, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )