Proponents of the school bond issue were registering people to vote at the Rec Center Tuesday evening during youth basketbal games. They are trying to increase voter registration and promote turnout. This serves two purposes
1. A general civic good by getting folks registered
2. High turnout increases the chance of a YES vote.
As I've mentioned before, past experience shows that the higher the turnout the more likely it is that people who support a bond will outweigh the folks who don't - because the folks opposed to any tax increase show up no matter what. This is also why they decided to do a mail ballot - it increases turnout.
There are small billboards up for the bond issue and I expect we'll see ads in the paper and on radio soon. I haven't heard of any organized opposition to the bond. I think the citizens committee makes a persuasive case for this - leveraging state money up to 50 to 60 percent is a golden opportunity to fix heating and air, ad space for all day kindergarten, improve entrances and safety, beef up the high school tech building, and finally build a stadium worthy of Ark City's proud athletic programs. (and a few more things)
This district's academic performance is advancing. It deserves facilities to match the greatness we expect of our kids.
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Applauding facilities is timely. I do hope that the advocates continue to tailor their presentations to the direct impact the improvements it will have on the students and student performance/outcomes. I always retain a measure of caution about aggressively promoting a building plan with a focus on aesthetic approval. Nice modern classrooms appeal to many of us more fortunate. However, the less fortunate may be intimidated or even resent the notion of their kids spending several hours per day in an environment that outstrips their home accommodations.
Fancy computer labs, when many still do not have an old computer in their home; modern adornments when many are living in substandard housing; these things can be a gotcha with the campaign.
The sell point must be that the upgrades will broaden the number of students whose academic performance is improving. In order to do that, classroom space and amenities must be the crowning jewel of the project and the presentation.
That needs to be followed by continued financial commitments to the cert staff. As one sage put it, "Buildings don't educate. Teachers do."
Concurrent with this well planned proposal for facility upgrading, we ought to be actively involved in the dialog on teacher shortages, teacher retention and current staff development.
Recent articles have highlighted increase funding for education. However, I know of some local teachers who may swap careers because the State is requiring them to earn new degrees - cost approx $10K to $15K in order to stay in the classroom.
Out of all those millions spent on education, one would think that some of it would be earmarked for to pay for teachers to satisfy these new educational requirements. Once was that a teacher had to major in education. Now, the state has decided that teachers need to have a degree in a sociology field in order to be in the classroom.
That is an expensive change with no payout. You pay to get a new degree in order to keep earning the same money. This is a formula for fine new facilities with no teachers to work inside of them.
How proud are we of the athletic field events are we,when can not even get local radio to follow all the games or have the local news paper to give ACHS sports as much coverage as the smaller surrounding towns. Lets get the students caught up on academics before we worry about after school activities
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