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AASD board has shown transparency

I would like to take an opportunity to respond to the Mirror’s editorial, “AASD board needs more transparency” printed on Sunday, Feb. 24.

It was stated that the proposed purchase of the Investment Savings Bank Building did not surface publicly until the school board’s Feb. 4 meeting.

Though the name of the building was not announced until the vote during the Feb. 4 meeting, the building details were revealed and discussed previously at a public meeting.

On Sept. 10, 2018, the school board voted to hire David Albright from Albright Studio Architects to do a feasibility study to research and analyze the three sites under consideration for the district administration offices.

Then, on Oct. 29, 2018, Albright presented his conclusions and recommendations for the three sites in a committee of the whole meeting, which was open to the public.

As requested by ISB, the name of the building was withheld. However, there was a PowerPoint presentation containing concept sketches of the building along with cost estimates for demolishing the drive-thru and ATM structures, in addition to talk about the proximity of the property to the senior and junior high schools.

While trying to be courteous to ISB’s anonymity, the AASD board did withhold the name of the building, but never hid the options being explored and spent a large portion of that meeting presenting them publicly.

I believe the AASD has been unequivocally transparent and strives to confront and address difficult topics. Better attendance and participation at the AASD advertised public meetings would be greatly welcomed and encouraged so the community could be educated on board topics/issues and voice opinions directly.

Kelly Irwin Adams

Altoona

(The writer is a member

of the Altoona Area

School Board.)

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