Schools

Prop S Chair Says Rockwood Needed Bond Issue to Pass

VIDEO: A Ballwin resident and Rockwood School District parent says putting bond issue on ballot was right choice. She also told Board of Education directors and attendees Thursday night she feels community mistreated Superintendent Bruce Borchers.

Proposition S not passing on April 2 is "not a win for any group; this was a big loss for our district," said Rhonda Costa, Yes for Proposition S committee chair and Rockwood School District parent from Ballwin, when she addressed the district's Board of Education directors and attendees Thursday evening's board meeting at Crestview Middle School in Ellisville. 

She said she was speaking Thursday night to thank Rockwood directors for putting the bond issue on the ballot. "I believe it was the right choice for our children and our district."

Costa said she was proud to be the leader of the Prop S committee, citing that the group's members were great volunteers with which to work.

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"Everyone knew how much we needed this to pass," said Costa.

"My school is great; I did not need to fight for the schools in the Marquette quadrant. I was fighting for all of the schools in the district, especially the schools in the Eureka quadrant. I feel sorry for them the most. Their students have lost out."

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Costa also said she is scared for what the future holds for Rockwood. "I hope we are all prepared for the consequences that not passing the bond issue now brings."

She said she was not sure from where those who voted no on the proposition think the district officials will get the money necessary for much-needed improvements.

To the district's directors, she said:  "Your job is not an easy one. I wish you the best of luck. If during the time that my child has left in Rockwood there is another bond put on the ballot, I would be more than willing to be a part of it again."

"Superintendent Bruce Borchers Wasn't Allowed to Prove Himself at Rockwood"

Costa said she also was disappointed that the district was losing Superintendent Bruce Borchers. "He has been a great asset to our district. I am very disappointed he was not given a chance to prove himself."

She said she also was disappointed in the way board directors sat back and let Borchers take "all the heat for the bad things in Rockwood."

"He (Borchers) started making cuts and doing what was asked of him by the board," she said.

"I was able to work with him the first year he got here through Presidents' Forum. It was a great experience, one I will never forget. I hope that we, as a district, take a moment to figure out our mistakes and try to move on in as positive of a manner as we can," she said.

"Can we really expect to get any good candidates for superintendent, the way things are now? Why would anybody want to come here and be treated the way Dr. Borchers was?" Costa posed.

To Borchers, she stated:  "I like and I respect you. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to work with you. I am sorry for the way you've been treated by our community and I wish you and your family the best of luck; you certainly deserve to live in a community that wants you to be there and in a district that supports you. I am sorry to see you go. Thank you for your service."


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