Letters to the editor 9-20

opinions

September 20, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Dear editor,
If you vote yes on Nov. 4, 2014, in favor of the new schools the following will happen —
Your sales tax will increase one-half percent. This increase would apply, to name a few, groceries, labor, cell phones, land lines and utilities — just about everything. This is just sales tax. You also will have an increase on your real estate taxes. This increase will be based on your assessed valuation, and the current levy of your property is subject to change to any time. Are you prepared for the increase? Think!
There is a Homestead Relief ACT, but there are certain requirements you must meet before you can be eligible for this relief. If you do qualify, what will the dollar amount be to you? Will it be enough to take up the slack?
The expense to you as a taxpayer and resident of Allen County will be there for a LONG TIME!
Now, consider what will happen to the commercial property owners. They will also have this increase to their liabilities, only higher. Your industries are NOT COMMITTED to remain in Iola. THINK! What will happen to Iola if the industrial companies leave this town due to increase in SALES TAX and REAL ESTATE TAXES? We already know, don’t we. THINK!
A new school would be WONDERFUL and I am sure we need to do something, but what will that be? THINK! Can you afford this debt financially?
Has the State of Kansas committed to this 51 percent support in writing for the cost of building new schools? What will happen if they DO NOT? If the state does not give their financial help, you will be responsible for the entire cost of this debt. THINK!
Yes, I know we have a very serious problem, that it will not GO AWAY. The alternative is to renovate the current schools. We must give this very careful consideration. A renovation to the schools may be the least expensive and by far a better way. Let’s get some figures on paper for the cost of this also.
PLEASE BE SURE TO VOTE ON NOV. 4, 2014, EITHER WAY, YES OR NO!
Virginia Warren,
Iola, Kan.

(Editor’s note: The state is legally bound to provide the 51 percent matching funds for school construction or renovations. While there has been speculation locally for years the matching state aid will be removed, such a measure would only affect projects approved after the funding is removed. Approving the project in November would lock in the state’s obligation for the duration of the bond retirement.)



Dear editor,
Is there anyone that believes a new building actually increases the ability to learn? That scenario defies not only logic, but history as well. If that were true then we would have a new capitol building in Topeka — rather than the old one that took 10 years to rebuild. If a new building has any benefit then Kansas State would have tore down their football stadium and Kansas University would tear down Allen Fieldhouse so the Jayhawks could play better basketball.
If a new track and football field made a difference, then why isn’t Iola the best in these activities? If a new building and added facilities improve things, then why am I constantly receiving notices that our new water plant is out of compliance with the state standards it was built for? I don’t remember getting many notices with the old facility — which is still standing.
If a new building affects people’s ability to learn then why do Harvard, Princeton, Rutgers, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth universities — all established between 1636 and 1769 A.D. all still have some of their oldest buildings in use for, college level, educations. If a new building had positive learning abilities then why is it that the home-schooled children consistently outscore the public education children of the same age and ethnicity in Kansas.
The logic of new is mostly derived from an old axiom that — New is Better; but, that does not hold true as in the case of the new Allen County Courthouse and hospital, Edsel, Sony Betamax, New Coke, the Millennium Dome, USFL, etc., etc. Where are the “studies” that show improved, long-term benefits directly demonstrated by students being taught, by the same teachers, and the only change was new facilities — not new equipment — just the four walls around them?
We the people are being told that $50,000,000 will solve all the administrators, educators, and maintenance peoples problems. That is exactly the government solution to all problems — throw more money at it and maybe it will solve something — maybe.
The Class of 1964 — I am a member — just celebrated our 50th anniversary of graduating from IHS. Well, without air conditioning, elevators, nurses stations, paras, the Bowlus, pretty assembly areas we managed to produce several millionaires, doctors of medicine and the arts, nurses, government officials, lawyers, bankers and just about every kind of person required to preserve, administer to, protect, and defend these United States of America. This and many more “like” classes were taught by educators that dressed, acted as professionals and reflected that atmosphere by their actions — not the building they taught in.
With respect,
Larry H. Walden,
Iola, Kan.

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