LETTER: Why should Brownsboro school become a No. 1 priority?

To the editor:
I attended Oldham County Schools’ local planning committee meeting on Oct. 13, which turned out to be an eye-opener.
I had just received my property tax bill and was concerned the Oldham County Board of Education was going to increase this bill, especially when you add the other taxes on personal property, water, telephone, cable, home heating, electric bills, etc.
Jim Urban, director of Oldham Planning and Development and a member of the LPC asked Jim Ewalt, director of facilities for Oldham County Schools, why the financial, physical condition and the demographic information was not given to the LPC, so the committee could make an informed decision.
Ewalt said the 2008 LPC already reviewed the information, however, Urban brought up the fact that there were only two members from the original committee present. Urban suggested the committee adjourn until the information was available, but Ewalt said they should vote now.
Urban countered, asking why have a meeting if the committee is expected to go around the rules and vote to make building Brownsboro Elementary a No. 1 priority.
... Urban left the meeting after realizing a majority of  the 16 members present work for the school system and Superintendent Paul Upchurch.
How was this local planning committee set-up so lopsided in favor of the school system?
I drove to the proposed Brownsboro school site. I would suggest that concerned taxpayers do the same.
It is in the middle of farm country, and I would venture to guess there aren’t a handful of children within three miles of the site, unless you drive to Crestwood up Ky. 329, which already has three elementaries.  
Why spend millions on a new school that may not be necessary?
Why not refurbish Liberty Elementary for $5 to $10 million?
You could increase its capacity from 500 students at the present time to 600 or 700 students and not need an elementary school for the next 10 years.
Gary Gibson
Pewee Valley