To the Editor:
I am speaking as one board member, taxpayer and my comments do not reflect opinions of anyone other than myself. Eagle Valley School District Board members and administration have had long-term planning on their agenda, something I think many do not realize, for well over a decade. This is not something new!
What has changed though is that the current board and administration know it is now time to act and make the tough, perhaps costly decisions to ensure the best education for our kids. Another important factor taxpayers need to realize is that the debt of the Clarissa school from the original consolidation of Eagle Bend/Clarissa will be paid off by 2011/2012. This, along with the vision and passion of the board/administration/coalition Team, is what drives forward the current decision making.
Community involvement in our school district has been at one of the highest levels ever thanks to the success of our students, staff and community members who volunteer their time to be a "physically" present part of our district. (PTO, our Sports Boosters, Lion's Club, etc.) We have also actively involved our community and taxpayers in the coalition/long term planning of our district to meet the necessary educational and technology goals for our students.
There are several factors that will impact the decisions and recommendations of the Eagle Valley School Board to the taxpayers. We have gone over and over the pros and cons of both buildings and locations, the available land, the accessibility and the overall impact on each community of each and every possible option This has taken considerable time, contemplation and deliberation over the past 1 years, but time we have felt necessary.
I have to respond to Mr. Benning's editorial last week regarding his Option #2 of Eagle Valley HS to Pre-K through 12. Some of the "cons" I do not feel even need to be elaborated on with the exception of this: Even after remodeling it would still be an old structure. What is wrong with old structures? The building in Eagle Bend is architecturally an extraordinary creation. Anyone who appreciates history and art can see the beauty in older buildings. I agree with you, Mr. Benning, that it needs work and has not been kept up to the level it should be. But that in itself can be changed, just as items in the Clarissa building could be as well, should that be the direction chosen.
All of us could write a letter expressing our thoughts and opinions, but you know what? The bottom line is that it will come down to a recommendation from the board. The actual decision, Mr. Benning, for the importance and "support" of education for students of Eagle Valley District-that will be in the hands of our taxpayers and voters.
Thank you,
Sharon Notch
community member, taxpayer,
parent and Eagle Valley
School Board member