La Crosse school officials are trying to figure out how to meet several pressing physical needs.

Here’s some advice: Let’s put only one issue on the ballot — let’s fix what needs to be fixed, replace boilers that need to be replaced, install safety locks in schools and attend to other critical maintenance issues.
But let’s delay any action on new school construction. Given the state of the economy, and the fact that voters three months ago rejected a single question that included both school repairs and a new building, it makes sense to wait on the new construction.

Maybe in a year or two, when the economy is better and when the district has paid off some of the debt from the maintenance and repairs, it might be time to think about a new school for the North Side.

Three months ago, voters rejected a plan to spend $35 million for capital improvements on several schools — and to build a new North Side school on the Franklin site, and then close nearby Roosevelt Elementary.

Now the school board is reviewing its options. Should it go to referendum this fall with two questions — one for a new school and the other for capital improvements?

Should it ask only for capital improvements? Should it delay any referendum?

We believe that the necessary repairs should be done now. School officials have been putting off boiler replacements in some buildings and deferring other necessary big-ticket maintenance and repair issues.

It’s time to address those. Citizens can understand the need for such repairs. And the absence of a new construction proposal will make it easier to get voter approval for the capital improvements.

Let’s fix the schools that need fixing, and postpone any debate about a new school.

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