Dear editor,
I am writing to publicly encourage people to do what is best for students and vote YES on or before Nov. 4, regarding the bond and sales tax issue.
I recently resigned from 10 years of teaching in order to be a full-time mom. I am not originally from Kansas, and prior to teaching in Iola, I taught in a handful of other districts both in and out of state.
I am also the daughter of a retired school administrator and a school media specialist, so I have literally spent my entire life around schools and in the education world. The last six years of my professional career were in USD 257 as a special education teacher. I taught at McKinley Elementary for one year and Jefferson Elementary for the remaining five years.
I give you this background information because I feel that it adds greatly to my credibility as a supporter of the new school construction.
Of all the schools I have had the privilege to teach in, I can honestly say that Jefferson Elementary has definitely been the most challenging when it comes to the physical building environment. I would also add that McKinley was difficult as well, but I would like to primarily focus on Jefferson since that is where I taught the last five years.
Let me emphasize that I say “most challenging” in regards to physical surroundings. Supporters and non-supporters alike have made points regarding how a quality education begins with quality staff and administration. I agree 100 percent with this, and I want to point out that USD 257 is incredibly blessed to have amazing educators, support staff, and administrators working with local students.
So, yes, quality education does begin there. However, how many of us would go up to farmers we know who are great at what they do and ask them to plow fields with a mule and old-fashioned plow instead of with the more efficient, up-to-date farm equipment that is available? In essence, that is what we are asking our local educators, support staff, and administrators to do when it comes to our children’s futures, and therefore our community.
I stated earlier that I feel my teaching experience in USD 257 adds to my credibility as a supporter of new school construction. I would like to expand on that by giving an example of just one of several physical environment limitations I faced as a special education teacher at Jefferson Elementary.
Due to lack of space, one classroom was turned into two special education classrooms. One challenge that came about as a result of this space issue was at certain times throughout the day you could have 20 students and six adults doing six different activities with students ranging in grades from kindergarten through fifth grade in this small classroom with no windows, limited space for teaching supplies and materials, and most definitely limited space for the actual people who are supposed to be teaching and learning.
How many adults are asked to perform their daily jobs in an environment such as this? We are asking our children who have special needs, such as learning disabilities, attention challenges, sensory disorders, autism, behavioral needs, physical disabilities, just to name a few, to do their jobs in an environment that few adults would consider adequate to complete even their simple day-to-day tasks.
I did have students comment to me at times about how crowded it was or that they couldn’t hear the teacher because of the noise level. It is absolutely unacceptable that our students should have to “learn” in this environment.
I know some people make the point that the “old schools” were good enough for them as kids. As someone who spent the last 10 years as a professional in the field of education, I feel the need to do what I love — educate others. I must point out that the demands placed on our teachers, administrators, and students are more rigorous now than ever. Students who walk into our schools today are also more challenging than ever, so comparing education now to even 15 years ago is essentially like comparing apples to oranges. There can be no comparison.
I would encourage anyone to visit local schools (of course realizing you may have to go through a few security measures since that is another drastic change that has occurred over the last several years in education).
Don’t just go by what you hear. See for yourselves the challenges that your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighbors, etc., are facing as they enter these buildings on a day- to-day basis.
Our children get one chance at an education. There is no “redo” for these vital years in their lives. We should do everything we can to give them the best chance possible. They don’t get to have a vote, but you do. Vote for them. Vote YES.
Respectfully
submitted,
Kelly Francis,
Iola, Kan.
Dear editor,
I grew up in Iola, so I have a true connection to the community and the schools I attended. I moved back after college to teach and raise my kids here because of the town and the people.
I was hesitant about the new schools because of this. After attending some informational meetings and asking questions, I am fully convinced that building these new schools is the best decision for our little town.
I won’t get into the money savings, the ADA compliance, the technology benefits, the spaces needed to make education better, and the other obvious pros because I think at this point, everyone has heard them.
I will instead, point out a few benefits I’ve heard little of.
1. I want my three children to be able to go to the same school. Many parents right now have elementary aged children in two different schools due to one elementary housing only kindergarten-third grade and overcrowding at one elementary.
2. I want their school to be safe from outsiders. School shootings scare me and the security discussed for the new schools sounds very secure.
3. I want my kids safe from the current mold issues. The CDC, Centers for Disease and Control, states: “Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold.” My youngest child has asthma, as do many young children attending school in Iola, and I don’t want them suffering.
4. Iola does not have many preschool programs and many that are here cost $60-80 a month. Some parents cannot afford that, but their children deserve the same head start to education. The new elementary school will house up to 75 slots for preschool, at no cost to the parent. What a great investment in our youth!
5. BOGO sale — yes, I said it. The current bond with the 51 percent state aid is like a “Buy One, Get One Free” sale. We purchase an elementary school and get the high school for free. Just like a sale though this will not be around forever. We already pay taxes to the state, and have been since 1992, to be used to fund new schools and renovations all over Kansas but we haven’t taken full advantage of it.
I believe the time is now. The $6.60 a month in property taxes and 50 cents for every $100 I spend is worth it to me. Vote yes! yes! on Nov. 4!
Amanda Thompson,
Iola, Kan.
