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Name: Helen D. Gunderson
Category: Former Rolfe student
Year: 1963
Contact: gunderson@globalccs.net
Remote Name: 207.199.197.31
Date: January 28, 2006
Time: 06:02 PM
I have heard that various Rolfe people are engaging in various discussions to see what might be done with the newer part of the Rolfe school (i.e. the gym, home economics room, shop, band room, etc.) The final decision on the fate of the newer part is in the hands of the Pocahontas Area Community School Board. Three Rolfe people are on the school board: John Behrendsen (RHS 1980), Dan Duitscher (1984), and Jeff Kerns (RHS 1978).
I talked with Jeff just a few minutes ago. He says the school board will hold a hearing on February 13. It will probably be at 7 p.m. at the central office of the school in Pocahontas. Jeff says that anyone can come and express their pros and cons” regarding demolishing, selling, or otherwise saving the facilities. He added that the hearing also has the potential of being an auction and that the board has already been offered $500 for the property and buildings. So in some respects, a final decision could be made about the building that night. However, the board has the option to delay a decision for up to 30 days.
It seems this is a critical time for alumni and other friends of Rolfe to get the word out about what is happening and to come up with viable ideas. For instance, maybe someone would like to start a certified, community kitchen in the old home economics room and make an awesome salsa that could be marketed in the Rolfe area and on the Internet. Perhaps someone else has an idea for making widgets in the shop. And perhaps there is a way to keep the gymnasium available for walkers and basketball players and an occasional stage production.
Part of the concern of some members of the Rolfe community is that if the wrong parties were to buy the site and eventually default, the property would be turned back to the city of Rolfe, which might eventually have to pay enormous costs to demolish the building at some future date. Jeff told me that people can contact him with their thoughts. His you can call him (712-848-3416) or email him jebaha@ncn.net. You can also contact Joe Kramer, the new superintendent of the PAC School District. You can call him at his office (712-335-4311) or send him an email jkramer@pocahontas.k12.ia.us.
Also, Jeff said that Greg Kaiser (RHS 1957) has been talking with various people and convening unofficial meetings to discuss the situation. So Greg would be one of many avenues for you to learn what is going on or to give your input. I just spoke with Greg, and he said it would be best for interested persons to call him (712-848-3353) rather than use email to contact him. By the way, Greg says that the workers at the demolition site have begun placing bricks from the school outside the safety fence and that people who want bricks can begin to get some.