Dear editor,
As we look forward to our right to vote Nov. 4, I hope people will take a moment to reflect back on their own education growing up — their elementary, junior high, and high school years. As a student, you did not provide those buildings, teachers, or textbooks. People you probably didn’t know from possibly generations back sacrificed to build those for you and provide you that education. That was their responsibility.
Now the responsibility of providing the best education possible for the youth of the Iola area is ours. A child’s education is not about politics. It is not about buildings. It is about what is best for that child and what will benefit them most in the future. A child only gets one chance at an education. Our responsibility is to give them the best we can while we can. The chance to give a child a great education and future is definitely worth a few more dollars a month. Our children are worth it. They are our future.
On Nov. 4 I hope you will consider your own education, how that benefited your life, and consider the responsibility we have to the youth of today and the future. Their future is in our hands as we vote Nov. 4. They don’t have a say, but we do. Let’s give them the very best we can to provide them with the best possible future to not only bless and benefit them, but all of us.
Please vote YES! YES! On both the USD 257 bond and city sales tax. It is our responsibility to provide the best education for all our children.
Jennifer Taylor,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
The election is upon us. And I am glad it is almost over with all its cute tricks and nasty ads. But whom do I vote for in the Senate election? And how do I decide?
As a senior citizen, I went to the doctor for a physical a while back, and, with two grandfathers, a mother and a brother who had/have diabetes, I asked for the very accurate a1c blood test. I was told I was not covered unless the standard glucose test was out of normal range even though it is not as accurate as the a1c. I started checking and found out that the new rules require a specific ascending order of tests and treatments that are largely cost based. Add to that a cut of over $700 billion in Medicare, a government board that decides what treatment you get (see above), and other issues has me concerned about my future healthcare. Roberts wants to fix or eliminate these problems. Roberts gets my vote.
Over the past few years large numbers of regulations have been imposed on industry and agriculture and are being pushed by the federal government. The overreach on water usage on private lands is but one example. And the deliberate imposition of regulations that make cheaper coal energy all but impossible is another. Roberts has experience fighting for us. Roberts gets my vote.
Then there are the multitude of scandals over the past few years including the IRS fiasco, running guns into Mexico, the death of our ambassador in Libya, just to name three of many. I have also seen where the Majority Leader in the Senate stands. And I know where Roberts stands. Roberts gets my vote.
I could go on with issues such as the national debt, abortion funding, care of veterans, immigration and the problem of the needs of agriculture being only 20 percent of the Ag. bill with the rest being nutrition and welfare. I know what Roberts has done and where he stands on these issues. Again, Roberts gets my vote.
Those who follow issues such as these know Roberts’ positions and what he has done for us in the past. With the fiasco of the change in opponents he remained calm and reasonable. He debated with his opponent with clarity knowledge and strength. Yes, he fought back when he was attacked and I like that. He has also fought back when issues related to the welfare of Kansans has been under attack in Washington. And I like that too. Join me in voting for Pat Roberts to continue as our Senator.
Sincerely,
Dave Roos,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
I have read many articles, many letters, a will and listened to many people’s thought, their concerns, their reasons and their decisions regarding their vote about the school bond issue. I respect all because I know they care deeply about the children. I do too. The following are the reasons for my vote. I ask they be considered as I have considered all of yours.
The only lawyer to speak about the bond issue and the Bowlus Fine Arts Center is Mr. Clyde Toland, a well-respected and accomplished attorney. He knows how man made law can be twisted and interpreted to be different from the original intent of some law or a document. He has warned us about losing this wonderful center and I will not gamble on its fate. I will vote NO.
The idea that now is the time to build new buildings is wrong. Our state finances are in a mess and until they are back to where we can depend on our state officials to correct the money situation we do not need to add extra taxes to our obligations. If the board has waited eight years to find the right time, they need to wait a bit longer because too many people, myself included, are financially challenged at this time. I will vote NO.
We have been warned by a good neighbor from Chanute about over extending ourselves with taxes. The new hospital has not brought new doctors to town yet or increased our tax base yet. I have a hard time believing new school buildings will increase our population. I will note NO.
I have advanced training in biology and I want an environment that will sustain life for our future. Too long we have been a throw-away society. The lesson of fixing and taking care of our environment is long overdue. This is a good lesson for our children. We need to fix our schools as Fort Scott is attempting to do. If I lived there, I would vote yes. But I live here and I will vote NO.
Again I suggest the school board seek other alternative solutions to the present problems. I truly believe there is a better way to fix our schools. And I truly will do what I can to help.
Sincerely,
Ruth Lee Jackson,
LaHarpe, Kan.

Dear editor,
Friends of Bowlus remind me of spiteful 10-year-olds.
I don’t want it and it’s going to cost me a bundle to destroy and clean it up, but you can’t have it. It’s mine!
OK you can have it but we’ll make you pay and pay. You can’t just move it; that’s not good enough. You have to fill in the basement and level it. No, that’s not all! We’ll think of more.
Once again the wall goes up. Just another brick in the wall. Brick one from Friends of Bowlus, brick two brought to you by new schools and a most unfortunate brick ACARF. How many bricks do we need to sink Iola? A divided town is not strong enough to weather the storms that are coming.
Kathryn Ronay,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
I have been immersed in the arts my entire life. I received an MFA, the highest degree in the studio arts, in drawing and painting. I recently retired after 33 years of teaching art at college and public school levels. I continue to teach and exhibit my artwork.
Some 28 years ago, when I accepted a position at Allen County Community College and moved to Iola, we were delighted to learn of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. I have always loved a wide range of music and theater productions. All of our children have participated and benefitted in the Bowlus productions and events. Two of our children now have careers in the graphic arts.
When I first heard of the proposed changes from teaching traditional arts to teaching fine arts technology at the Bowlus, if a new high school were to be build, I was skeptical. But then I realized how much the fine arts and technology are merging, today.
In my own field of the visual arts, I have seen a progressive integration of computer technology with visual imagery. There has been an increase of computer arts classes to enhance a fine arts degree. This is because of more career opportunities in computer arts.
Today, you see the same integration in other arts; music, drama and dance. Every time you watch a movie, listen to pre-recorded music, experience a fine concert or enjoy a stage production, you are benefitting from the merging of arts and technology. To think that arts technology is separate from the traditional fine arts is to close your eyes to the present visual and auditory world we live in.
The proposed technical arts programs for the Bowlus have been thoroughly considered and researched. Similar programs are currently found at select schools in the country. How fortunate we are to have a facility that could accommodate such a progressive program!
After reading Mr. Bowlus’s will, I do not see that fine arts technology would be going against his wishes to educate our artistic youth. The Bowlus Fine Arts Center facility is the perfect place for such a program.
I am enthusiastic about this proposed direction for the Bowlus and the opportunities it affords our youth in art-oriented careers. Along with this new direction, the Bowlus Fine Arts Center will continue to enrich our cultural lives and our community.
A YES! YES! vote for new schools will be a Yes! vote for the Bowlus’ future in arts education as well.
Steven R. Greenwall,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
Fear — it can be paralyzing.
Step on a crack, you break your mother’s back. Look at the sun, you’ll go blind. Swallow watermelon seeds and a plant will grow in your stomach and you’ll die.
When we think about these now they are pretty silly because they aren’t true, but at the time when we were young they were scary. We’ve heard a lot of scary things the past couple weeks. Each week they get scarier and scarier. Get the facts on the school bond issue. The facts given today are the same facts shared at the first community forum. Facts are fact and remain constant.
We are a smart community. Making a decision based on fear will only paralyze our community, our schools, our kids’ future.
When you know and study the facts you will vote YES for the school bond. You will vote YES for the sales tax. You will vote YES for our kids.
Sincerely,
Becky Nilges,
Iola, Kan.

Dear Editor,
Let’s turn our hearts to our children. Our children need our help; they need our votes. They can’t do it for themselves, they need our help.
 Our children need new school buildings — buildings without asbestos, mold, and lead — buildings that allow them mobility if they have special needs — buildings that allow for modern teaching methods.
Our children need our help; they need our votes. Let’s choose to help our children by voting YES! to the school bond, and YES! to the half-cent sales tax on Nov. 4.
Our children need our help! Let’s turn our hearts to our children, and help them do what they cannot. Our children need new schools.
Sincerely,
Robyn Fawson,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
With only a few days left until the election, there are a lot of different issues to consider. Many are important to different people for different reasons. However, there is one issue that is extremely important to one very special group of human beings. Unborn babies have a huge stake in this election but have no voice or vote of their own. The governor’s race gives us a stark contrast between two candidate’s stand on the right-to-life.
Governor Brownback is solidly pro-life. His opponent has voted 80 times against pro-life bills even when 90 to 100 of his fellow legislators voted for them. Some examples are the ban of sex-selection abortions, taxpayer funded abortions, abortion clinic licensing with reporting of death and injury, late-term abortion ban based on fetal pain, and the creation of an ethical stem cell therapy center at KU Medical Center. As governor, Brownback signed these and all pro-life bills passed through the legislature. The choice is clear. Brownback is strongly pro-life. His opponent has an extreme pro-abortion voting record and has the support of the abortion industry and Planned Parenthood.
The Senate race is also extremely important and sharply divided. Senator Roberts has a 100 percent pro-life voting record. Roberts is a dedicated pro-lifer. Whether human life is threatened by terrorists or by abortionists, we can count of Pat Roberts to defend even the most helpless of us. His opponent is for abortion on demand and for any reason. He is supported and funded by abortionists, for example the doctor who owns and profits from the abortion center in Overland Park where his signs are displayed. The abortion industry in Kansas enthusiastically supports Orman because they know he would work with Harry Reid in the Senate to keep abortion legal, even late-term abortions when the baby can feel terrible pain.
Who do you think Orman will vote with if he gets into the Senate? He has supported and donated to President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, and the Kansas Democratic Party to name a few. With this record do you believe him to be an independent, especially since he previously ran for the Senate as a Democrat? Do you really want pro-abortion Orman to be your Senator from Kansas for the next six years?
This election is literally a chance to make a life or death decision with your vote. How would the babies vote? Please vote for pro-life Governor Brownback and Senator Roberts.
Sincerely,
Marcia Roos,
president, Iola Kansans
for Life,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
I am a Jefferson teacher that lives in a 105-year-old house and my newest vehicle is 12 years old. I truly value old things, understand the importance and cost of upkeep, and work at maintaining what we own. That being said, I also know that, at some point I will no longer be able to stay in my own home, if I live long enough, because it is not able to be remodeled to be handicapped accessible and retain the charm it has now. As far as my vehicles go, a wise mechanic once told me that when you are spending as much in repairs in a year as your car is worth, it is time to get something else.
The schools in our district are not accessible to many of our staff and students and are costing us more in repairs than we can afford. The funds for this come at the expense of technology, student learning, and staff salaries. We can exist without technology, but the education of our students will be missing an important piece of what is needed to be employable when they are finished in school. Not being able to afford new books and learning tools can be dealt with, but, once again, we will be shorting the experience our students deserve. Salaries can remain the lowest in the area, and our current teachers and staff may remain, but we are already losing most of our pool of applicants to nearby districts paying more.
In 1902 the first Jefferson was built. A mere 37 years later our present Jefferson was opened and those who are now 80-86 years old got to attend a brand new school where you sat in your seat for most of the day to have information delivered to you. It is now 2014 and no classroom at Jefferson has desks sitting in rows, with students sitting quietly all day. Education involves a wide variety of strategies meant to help all students learn in the way most effective for them.
Countless letters have addressed the many reasons for and against building new schools. A new school will not be the panacea for fixing everything for our students. That requires personal involvement, too. A new school will demonstrate that we are concerned with all of our students to include those who need extra help, have physical or mental handicaps, and staff that may have physical problems.
I urge you to seriously consider voting yes for our bond issue and yes for the sales tax to help support the new school. Most important of all, get yourself to the voting polls and make your opinion count.
Thanks for your attention,
Mary Ann Regehr,
Iola, Kan.

Dear editor,
Next Tuesday, voters have the opportunity to do something profound for the students of USD 257 — provide them with new facilities that they most definitely deserve. Education has evolved in the years since our current buildings were constructed. No matter whether they go straight to work, to vocational school or to college after they leave USD 257, our students need to be able to collaborate with others, to transfer skills across disciplines, and to navigate various forms of technology. Our current spaces, while they have served the district well, no longer meet our needs. When money for resources and technology consistently goes for building repairs, our students suffer.
From an educational standpoint, the benefits of one unified elementary school are endless. Teachers will be better able to share resources, to have equal access to resources, and to collaborate with each other without losing large amounts of time in the classroom. Specials classes can be equalized so that all students get the same amount of time each week in art, music and PE. Our therapists and specials teachers can spend more time with our students and less time driving between buildings. Siblings can be all together at one school. Principals will no longer have to make difficult decisions about moving students around to even up school populations and class sizes.
Our students deserve better than hallways and closets to work in, better than buildings with buckling floors, leaky roofs and mold. They deserve the improved safety new buildings can provide, especially our high school students who are in and out of different buildings all day long. The educational spaces we provide our students should be accessible to ALL students, efficient, and conducive to learning 21st Century skills. Our teachers and students have been asked to “make do” for too long. Let’s utilize the 51 percent state aid available and provide our students with the facilities and resources they need to be successful. Please vote YES, YES for our kids on Nov. 4.
Beth Wille,
IMS teacher,
Piqua, Kan.

Dear editor,
As a citizen and parent of Iola, I wish to express my thoughts on the school bond issue and its impact on the community we all care about. First of all, I will be voting yes to both the school bond and the city sales tax. Voting yes for both measures will help provide our community and USD 257 the tools necessary to equip every child with the 21st century skills required to participate effectively in the world today.
In my mind this election is about the structural issues and non-ADA compliance of each building. It is about the security concerns that exist in each building. It is about a district pay scale that is not only among the lowest in the region but also a detriment to recruiting and community building. It is about equality and opportunity in every classroom.
In short, it is about the kids of USD 257 and their kids after that. This election is not about logistics, nostalgia, or “it was good enough for me.” It is not about busing, acreage, or thoroughfares. In fact it isn’t about us at all. It is all about the students of USD 257 and the sacrifices we the community are willing to make for them.
Furthermore, I will vote Yes! Yes! because I believe the Nov. 4 election is a historic election.  The basic premise of this election is that either we as caretakers of the future take responsibility for our kids and do what is right now, or we turn a blind eye and keep the status quo. Either we as voters support equality in education and professional development for all students and staff, or we let nostalgia deny what is entitled to every student and staff member in USD 257.
Either way, we the voters of this election will be held accountable for generations to come.  Let us not look back and say “we should have.”
Respectfully,
Melanie Hermstein
Iola, Kan.