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Opinion Scaled back bond measure has better chance of passing
Scaled back bond measure has better chance of passing
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Most of us agree that we need a commitment to excellence in our
schools. And to do that the school environment needs to be first rate. That’s why we salute the La Grande School Board Facilities Committee’s common sense solution to put a $20 million ceiling on a bond measure for maintenance and construction in November. In this time of nearly $4 per gallon gas, and rapidly rising costs for milk and bread, pocketbook issues are becoming all the more important. Face it. Voters are being squeezed now more than ever. They need to know every penny going to schools is being spent wisely. The Observer editorial board is not endorsing a $20 million bond until more details become available but believes the committee is taking the right approach in crafting a bond that has the best chance of passing in tough economic times. The school board, meanwhile, is preparing a voter survey to gauge what type of bond voters would support. It’s important voters get a chance to give input now. They need to understand the health and safety components of any bond measure and why that is important to the future viability of the school district. They need to say what they believe is most important. It’s common knowledge that maintenance issues within the school district have been deferred for years — repair of roofs, replacement of old windows and so on. Such projects can’t be put on hold forever without a risk to students and staff. The hard-working folks of the La Grande district have done an excellent job bringing a quality education to students despite the deficiencies they face every school day. Handicapped accessibility projects, meanwhile, are required by law and very necessary if the school district is to serve the entire community. Challenging, competitive public schools are important for economic development, and they require good facilities. Investment in education draws money and business to a community and could be a first step toward jump-starting a local economy in need of such revitalization. A realistic bond measure that voters can approve in November will go a long way toward ensuring that the La Grande School District can continue to offer quality educational services. |
