The Warren County R-III School Board approved two motions last Thursday, one to keep an extensive bird collection that is over 100 years old in the district and the other to explore the feasibility of moving the birds to the high school and the costs associated with a new display. Earlier in the meeting, a committee comprised of school board members John Nordwald and Jan Sutherland, teachers, administrators and community patrons met for the first time to discuss the bird collection's future. Nordwald told other board members the consensus is to display the collection where it might be viewed by more people and the possibility of implementing it into the school curriculum. The committee, concerned about moving the birds that have been on display in a sealed glass display case at Black Hawk Middle School since 1977, will be taking the chance of damaging the mummified collection if moved. Members also agreed last week that the collection, whether it stays at its current location or is moved to the high school, needs to have better signage and updated labeling identifying the species and their background. The collection consists of more than 300 species and includes a bald eagle, golden eagle and Eskimo curlew. It was donated to the district from the Spoede family in 1963. "We realize that if we move the birds, there's one or two maybe that won't make it," Nordwald told board members. "We felt they could get so much more exposure over (at the high school) and be viewed by more and more people." The committee will meet again Thursday, Jan. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Black Hawk Middle School to evaluate price estimates for a new case. "It's a phenomenal resource," said community member Todd Arnold, also a teacher at Wentzville Holt High School. "It's the only thing in the school district that we can't replace. If this building burnt down, insurance would pay for everything in this building, but you couldn't go out and replace that bird collection." The district came under fire from community members and school officials following the July school board meeting where members voted to donate the bird collection to a local chapter of the Audubon Society of St. Louis. But during the August meeting, the motion was rescinded after board members were divided on the issue. Some school officials said the collection was no longer used in curriculum and should be displayed elsewhere. Others countered by saying the birds are a unique collection that didn't detract from educating students. In August, Superintendent Dr. John Long expressed concern about the legality of housing the birds and having the proper paperwork when the donation was transferred to the district. Committee members said they would request a new letter verifying the collection did indeed meet all guidelines when donated to the district. Wendell Roehrs, former superintendent and teacher, said in August the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department approved the donation when it was made. "It's so unique," said Gene Cornell, Warren County Historical Society president. "It's a jumping-off point for so many opportunities. You have a unique collection of artifacts." Sarah Moss , biology and zoology teacher at the high school, said she could immediately use the collection in nearly every class. "It would be easy to incorporate," she said. "There's so many things we could do with them."