The Mehlville High School band was preparing for one of the most prestigious musical performances in the state. In January, they played at the Missouri Music Educators Association in the Lake of the Ozarks.

“A week prior to that performance, we had to rent Bayless High School’s auditorium in order to perform a concert to get the kids ready for performing in a different venue,” said Mehlville Band Parents Association President Kathi Hoyer. “I know that there are other schools in this district that rent Rickman Auditorium, Bayless, Affton for events and performances. We should keep the district's money here within the district.”

Hoyer was one of four residents who spoke at Thursday’s school board meeting on the proposal for a new auditorium; three supported the measure, while one spoke in opposition.

Kenneth Dale, a 78-year-old resident of the district, was the lone dissenter.

“I think that it should be put off to a different time, and rather than spending that much money, I’d rather put that money in whatever it costs in bonds… you manage your money, you just don’t spend it,” he said.

Dale said he participated in drama in high school and had wonderful memories performing on the gymnasium stage.

“But this is money and there are people who aren’t working, and there’s an old saying that credibility is a lot easier to keep than it is to lose and get back,” he said.

Superintendent Eric Knost said Dale was the first person he’s heard speak against the auditorium.

“I appreciate his mindset and what he was bringing to the board’s attention,” Knost said. “This is the first, going all the way back to my first public mention of this… that has not been supportive of the idea.”

Three other speakers thanked the board and administration for building an auditorium with the district’s current funds, rather than asking for a tax increase.

“Instead of being a project that would bring the community together, it tended to be something that became a point of argument and division,” said Shari Elford, who has been a parent volunteer for 19 years. “I honestly look at this move as something that could bring two very different viewpoints to a middle ground and work together for a common goal.”