WELLS – The United South Central school board voted to move forward on a plan to remodel and add an addition to the current school facility at a school board meeting Tuesday evening.

After much discussion about whether the decision was being made too quickly, it was decided to move forward with the plan that would cost around $16 million. The other plan the board decided not to consider was the building of a completely new facility at a cost of around $24 million.

Originally, board Chairwoman Kathy Krebsbach, said she wanted to know if the board members thought the decision was being rushed and if there had been enough community awareness. Other board members said they thought the decision was long overdue and community members are ready for action after three previous failed referendums.

“I’m in favor of taking more time to look at these plans and get out into the community,” Krebsbach said.

The board also reviewed results of a straw poll taken at a special community meeting Thursday. More than 215 residents showed up to hear about the building issues at the current facility and to look at plans for either remodeling and adding an addition or for building an entirely new facility. Most voted for a new facility, and those who voted for the remodel/addition plan wrote comments that said they’d rather have a new facility but would like to see anything done to update the schools.

Several board members said they agreed that they’d like to see a new school, but with costs to community members it might be voted against in a referendum. The board agreed to set a special school board meeting for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 6. At the meeting the board will hear from Superintendent Jerry Jensen about a final cost for the remodel/addition plan, and the board could then issue a resolution and set a tentative election date of Dec. 20.

Certain things the board asked Jensen to look into were additional costs of tennis courts, a track, a bus garage and costs of completely upgrading the plumbing in the current building. None of these costs were included in the $16 million cost originally showed to the public Thursday, but many people wrote on their straw poll ballots to include these amenities. The option that includes remodeling the current building to address all the problem areas also includes an addition of a new building that would house a gymnasium, a new kitchen and dining area.