I intend to vote for the school bond issue on April 2, and here are my reasons why.
The current high school building was completed in 1916, 103 years ago, at a cost of $100,000.
The current Jefferson and Lincoln elementary schools, and the vocational arts building east of the high school, were completed in 1939, 80 years ago, at a total cost of $319,000 with $173,422 coming from the federal governments WPA program and the rest, $145,578, coming from local taxes.
McKinley was built in 1950, 69 years ago, at a cost of $230,000.
All three elementary schools, like the old hospital which was built in 1950, are poured concrete structures and built to last.
Unfortunately, those types of structures are difficult and very costly to renovate. Built to last is good if nothing ever changes! But things do change and most changes bring improvements to our quality of life.
Some changes are forced on us by federal, state, or local laws or codes. Although these are also meant to improve our quality of life, we dont always like it because generally there are no accompanying funds to pay for these forced changes. And the cost becomes our burden.
Current information indicates that the state will contribute 35 percent of the bond cost and you can see that will not be the first time that our district has had outside help with school construction. Voters in the 1930s took advantage of the opportunity then, and now we current voters have a real opportunity to do the same thing.
Its an opportunity that may not happen again.
Many former and current students have gone through our entire school system and in so doing have developed many friendships, shared many experiences, developed long-lasting relationships, and along the way got educated, either by working at it or by osmosis!
The 12-year trip produced many treasured memories for them that could give some an emotional attachment to one of more of their favorite buildings. And thats OK!
My attachment is to the old high school building. I have many fond memories from that old building. I spent three years there as a student, (five if you count JUCO), six years as a teacher, coach and assistant principal, 12 years as the high school principal, and 14 years as the superintendent.
I have a lot of memories and I know others do, too. These memories will last forever but buildings wont! We want to be careful that we dont let our emotional attachments get in the way of our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., being able to make their own memories in a bright, new, healthy and secure facility that is up-to-date and adaptable to new technologies and teaching techniques.
Recruiting top-notch teachers is one of the most important jobs a superintendent does.
But he cant do it alone. It also takes attractive and up-to-date teaching facilities as well as a good teaching environment with cooperative colleagues and good administrative support.
Im sure the new hospital has been a boon for the recruitment of physicians and the same thing will hold true for teacher recruitment.
