Repairs to keep Verdigre High open

VERDIGRE, Neb. -- The Verdigre School Board has authorized spending about $30,000 for repairs to make the high school safe so that it may continue to function while a lawsuit over a new school is settled.

The Verdigre School Board voted unanimously Thursday to make repairs to the school's chimney, install a liner for the boiler system and remove concrete cornices on the building's exterior that have been falling to the ground.

The state fire marshal has ordered school officials to make the 90-year-old building safe in light of the delays that have occurred in implementing a $3.8 million bond issue that passed last year calling for a new school.

Some residents believe there are cheaper alternatives for the district. They filed a lawsuit against the district that alleges, among other things, violations of the open meetings law occurred in getting the vote for the new school on the ballot.

In March, a district court judge dismissed the landowners' lawsuit against the Verdigre school board, its president and the district.

The landowners appealed. The case could be heard by the Nebraska Court of Appeals or the Nebraska State Supreme Court. Neither court has indicated whether it will hear the appeal.

In addition, all six school board members face a recall election on Thursday, Oct. 8.

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