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Johnson said he would like the city, Hartington-Newcastle and Cedar Catholic to continue working together on the complex.
“This is something that the
citizens of Hartington voted for over 20 years ago," Johnson said. "The citizens of Hartington knew the best way to get it done 20 some years ago was jointly and for the city to do it and for the schools to help contrib- ute. And I think that relationship needs to continue." Board President Jason Dendinger said he was on the board when the city originally approached the district about the complex. He said the city wanted guaranteed users for the facility.
"If they were going to go forward with this, then that is what they wanted," Dendinger said. "They were asking us if we would be that customer along with the other school." Dendinger said he views the two schools as equal users of the cityowned facility.
"So in my mind, we're equal customers to the city," he said.
Both schools currently pay $8,000 a year to rent the facility.
Board member Jason Heikes also questioned the mayor's posi- tion.
"It's a bold statement from one person to overrule the whole city that voted for this 20 years ago," Heikes said.
Dendinger said the city had
previous opportunities to set money aside for future track repairs.
"They were talking about increasing that user fee. That's fine. We understand that. Put it to the side," Dendinger said. "So then when the time comes to redo the track, there's funds there." Johnson said he would like to see the three entities sit down and discuss a long-term plan for the complex.
"My message to the mayor would be and my request to you guys would be like, okay, let's get together and talk," Johnson said, "but any solution has to involve all three entities and not just the Hartington-Newcastle school."
