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Residents press Colman‑Egan board over proposed sports complex, citing floodplain and transparency concerns
Summary
Multiple residents criticized the board’s handling of a proposed athletic complex — disputing the parcel price, citing floodplain and traffic risks, and urging clearer public engagement or a community vote.
Several residents used the public‑comment period at the Colman‑Egan School District 50‑5 board meeting to press the board for more transparency and to urge reconsideration of a recently purchased parcel proposed for an athletic complex. Mary Swinney Klingler, speaking on behalf of Pat Entringer, said the 10‑acre portion next to a slough is "too wet and too low," recounted earlier discussions about donated acres and negotiations, and disputed the board’s prior statement that the east parcel price was nearly double what she had offered: "$16,667 an acre is less than $17,840 an acre, not almost double as was stated in the last school board meeting on December 8." (Speaker: Mary Swinney Klingler, SEG 019–SEG 116.)
Other residents echoed concerns about process and impacts. Laura Zwart urged the board to reconsider the purchase agreement for the east parcel and called the most recent survey "severely outdated," saying the newest showed only 56% in favor and urging greater community engagement: "When an issue like this doesn't have public support, it shouldn't happen." Charlie Zwart questioned whether the project would raise the mill levy and where capital‑outlay funds would come from, calling the complex a "$5,000,000 want, not a $5,000,000 need." Dan Schmidt, a lifelong resident, pressed for what he called "truth" instead of symbolic transparency and asked the board to put a clear plan to voters if the district truly supports the project (Speakers: Laura Zwart, Charlie Zwart, Dan Schmidt; SEG 118–SEG 293).
Support for the project also appeared in public comment: Terry Stulkin, a long‑time educator, said the community needs the facility and recommended features (artificial turf, new restrooms) that would broaden support, adding "I also would like to tell you that I appreciate the opportunity to be here" while urging the board to continue the process with a clear plan (Speaker: Terry Stulkin, SEG 301–SEG 513). The board acknowledged the range of concerns and told speakers staff would follow up with answers and consider sending an email with consolidated responses to those who provided contact information (Chair/board response, SEG 1603–SEG 1626).
