The Karnes Road Property acquisition is a real test for the new school board. Will they rubber stamp a bad plan or will they amend the superintendent's vision to represent the people of St. Joseph. Roads are not the only problem with Karnes. Why hasn't the school district released the soil and water studies to assure the public that the soil and water are free of chemical residues from the previous use of the part of the Karnes property as an auto junkyard? Is there evidence of lead, asbestos, mercury and heavy metals left from its previous use? If there are, the neighborhood will be covered with toxins during dirt moving and site preparation. The superintendent should release the 1st and 2nd studies. Also, 3-5 acres of asphalt and roofs on an extreme hillside will require a huge retention pond, if any can actually hold the runoff of a 1-2 inch per hour rainfall. People living downslope on Fieldcrest and Gene Field should require engineering studies to assure proper runoff control. The district did not even ask the property owner of the SW corner of Leonard and Karnes Roads. The last straw is that there are numerous schools that have room right now for the overflow from Coleman: Noyes, Bessie Ellison, Eugene Field, Pershing and Webster all have low populations from the upper 200s to the lower 300s. Crowding at Coleman is irresponsible and unnecessary and should be remedied for 2008-2009 school year.

On Roads issue heats up at school board meeting

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