In a meeting during which emotions could have collided and arguments could have spawned, attendants were civil and information was peacefully shared at a meeting in Emmons.

Glenville-Emmons School Superintendent Dave Olson led the meeting to provide people with information about the upcoming referendum.

Speaking in a community whose members have portrayed unhappiness with their school’s closing, Olson provided plenty of information, often asking people to vote in a manner that they &uot;truly believe is best.&uot;

&uot;I want every student in this district to have an opportunity for education,&uot; he said. &uot;All parents want what’s best for their own children. We are trying to take steps forward.&uot;

Olson outlined some goals for the future. He said that he wants more elective classes in the school, for which the referendum would help pay. He wants to get some students back into the district. After the closing of the Emmons school, students had to go to the school in Glenville or find another school. Some did go to Glenville, but others went elsewhere, including Lake Mills, Iowa.

Olson hit on a sensitive topic when he said that he wants to effectively use the Emmons school building. The building is still open and used by, among others, preschool children and the Emmons Community Library. The district still pays utility bills, though, and in addition to using money from the referendum, Olson mentioned the possibility of renting the building to other parties.

Olson finished speaking by saying, &uot;Sometimes education and politics don’t mix well. You’ll have to make the (referendum) decision yourself as far as cost (versus) benefits.&uot;

After Olson’s monologue, community members asked questions. Some people were obviously in favor of the referendum, while some were against it. Many appeared to be absorbing the information from the session so that they could make an educated decision.

One person asked about consequences if the referendum fails.

Olson said school officials would have to compare needs and desires and &uot;draw the line&uot; on some things.

Dave Claussen, who has two children attending school in the district, said that there is a lot of distress and uneasiness in the community. &uot;We should vote for our children,&uot; he said.

Sometimes emotions were raised. One man accused Olson of broken promises. He said that, before the Emmons school closed, officials had said it would remain open. The emotional comment led to an emotional response. &uot;I don’t blame people for their feelings,&uot; Olson said. &uot;I am just trying to do my best.&uot;

But with a closed school and a vacant building, some residents do not want to put more of their money toward a district with declining enrollment.

If the referendum passes on Nov. 4, taxes would increase on property such as houses, garages and one acre of land. According to Olson, a $60,000 house would add $91 in taxes per year. A house valued at $300,000 would increase taxes by $453 per year. The taxes would last for seven years.

(Contact Benjamin Dipman at ben.dipman@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3239.)