School Board sets public hearing for Wednesday as Benton supporters pack meeting
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A wave of Benton High School supporters attended Monday's school board meeting to show support amid the possibility of the school not being included in a two-high-school plan.
A decision on the future of St. Joseph's high schools remains unclear after Monday's crowded Board of Education meeting ended with officials scheduling a follow-up public hearing and special meeting for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to allow for public discussion.
The decision to schedule a follow-up hearing -- the latest development in a back-and-forth few weeks -- comes after Benton students, family members and alumni packed the seats tonight.
In waves of red clothing and Cardinals attire, signs and dozens of Benton supporters -- mostly students -- made clear their thoughts on the plan. At one point, board members had to ask for interruptions to be minimized. The meeting did not allow for public comment.
The upcoming hearing on Wednesday will still consider Plan 2R -- a modified Plan 2B for a two-high school model with Central and Lafayette, while also weighing the possibility of a modified version that includes Benton and Central as the two-high school model.
The intent of Wednesday's special meeting is to make a decision on which long-range plan will be moving forward.
"It's hard to make a decision. I've learned it's even harder when you don't," Board President LaTonya Williams said. "I completely understand why other boards refused to make the tough decisions. If you look at the t-shirts of people (supporting their schools), you would understand."
Prior to the meeting, Board President LaTonya Williams shared her thoughts on the many Benton supporters attending to advocate for their school.
"I expected them to come. I knew the gravity of what I was getting into when I was elected," Williams said. "In all honesty, what I want for people to keep in mind is this has been an ongoing issue for decades. It's a lot of years of other boards never making a decision. And it's come to this. Things will not be corrected in one vote in one meeting or in one year."
Wednesday's meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., with a location still to be determined.
