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Wednesday, March 10, 1999     Page: 4A

Board OKs submission of renovation plans
   
The Lake-Lehman School Board voted Tuesday to submit plans for the
renovation of and additions to the high school to the state Department of
Education, but it didn’t happen without a fightAs board member Bob Allardyce
attempted to ask some questions about the proposed project, board Chairman
Moderno Rossi cut him off and refused to allow further discussion on the
topic.
    Rossi defended his action by saying the chairman has the right to limit
debate when he determines enough discussion has taken place. Board solicitor
Peter Savage concurred with Rossi.
   
Allardyce wanted some details about the plans to add on to the school to
accommodate junior high students. The board plans to pursue closing the junior
high school because it is old and possibly dangerous for students.
   
Board member Lois Kopcha defended Allardyce, saying she had her turn to ask
questions and Allardyce should have that same right. Kopcha said board policy
should not supersede Allardyce’s constitutional right to free speech simply
because he is an elected official.
   
Allardyce, Kopcha and board member Rosemary Howard voted against submitting
the current renovation plans to the Department of Education, but were outvoted
by 5 to 3.
   
Once the plans are submitted, the department will decide whether the
project is reimbursable through the state, said Superintendent William Price.
Once that is determined, the district will submit a second, more detailed set
of plans to the department, Price said.
   
Jessica Jessen