Glenn explained that the state allows for agreements for whole grade sharing, but as two separate districts, E-B can’t just pick a pocket of kids and force them to go to another district; it has to be whole grade sharing.

“I want us to continue to be good neighbors. It has worked for 20 years,” Glenn said.

Although the issue is continued whole grade sharing, Fremont board members had a lot of questions about sharing staff for younger students, two-way sharing and consolidation.

“Maybe we should start talking about consolidation more seriously, if that is the long-term consideration,” Glenn said.

Talks of consolidation have been mostly avoided in the past. In fact, at the October 2008 joint board meeting, Mitterer said of consolidation that, “… if it isn’t broken, why fix it.” He explained at that time that whole grade sharing at the high school is “working well now and that there is no need for a big change.”

Pekin and E-B boards both answered a list of nine questions about enrollment trends, school offerings, finance, etc., as well as questions from the public.

The biggest question seemed to be if sharing were to progress to consolidation, would the Fremont facility stay open? Both boards said they would like to see the school stay open; however, they cannot make any guarantees because they cannot foresee what will happen with state requirements, enrollment levels or what a future board might decide.

Regarding budgets, E-B indicated that a previous negative unspent balance has been corrected and that it has been positive the past two years. Pekin has had a negative unspent balance the past two years. Both districts indicated a positive cash position.

Mitterer said that the Fremont board would decide by the end of January of next year. He said that Pekin has named John Dotson as a new superintendent that will be shared with Fremont, and that he will need time to review the issue.

The board also indicated that they might get public opinion in the form of a formal election. The board has already reserved a spot on the fall ballot. However, the board would have final say regarding the issue.

Glenn asked that Fremont make a decision by September to allow all three districts adequate time to prepare for the 2010-11 school year. He added that according to state requirements, a decision has to be made by Nov. 1, because if there is a change, there will have to be a public hearing and notice has to be given prior to that.

“The sooner we can make a decision is the best for everybody,” Glenn said.