Community should show support for high school remodel

Letters to the Editor

 

Last updated 2/19/2015 at 8:59am



I am writing this letter to voice my sincerest concerns over the news that our Cheney School Districts bond on the latest ballot did not pass. As happy as I was to learn that our renewal Levy passed, I was heartbroken to learn that our current Cheney High School would not have the bond funds available to provide the crucial improvements and remodeling of which it is in such desperate need.

We have been living in the Cheney School District for nine years now. We never realized just how badly the high school was in need of remodeling and expanding until we sent our oldest son there three years ago. He has voiced his concerns many times to us about the crowded halls and lack of places to eat during his lunch hour.

He has also expressed his frustrations with trying to get to some of his classes on time due to having to maneuver around the crowds of students while also having to walk from outside portable classrooms to the opposite end of the school. This is just one of many issues and concerns that comes from attending an overcrowded school.

Unfortunately, we live in a day and age of heighted security being a necessity at our school buildings. One thing that I noticed the first time I walked into the main doors of the school, was how dislocated the entrance was from the front desk. With the amount of students walking in and out of the building to access the portable classrooms, somebody could easily walk into the school going unnoticed.

The bond will allow for an expansion of the school adding the necessary new classrooms to the building. This in turn would alleviate the need for the outside portable classrooms and the need for students to exit the building during school hours.

Another crucial part of the remodeling plans was to redesign the main entrance. This would allow for more security, as individuals entering the school would have to enter the office first before accessing the building.

As a parent with three kids still to send to the high school, I can’t think of anything more important than getting this bond passed. With more than 4,200 kids in our school district that feed into the high school, there is no question that they all deserve a better learning environment than what is currently being offered.

My hope is that our school board will rerun the bond this spring to show voters how truly important this issue is and that time is of the essence here. The proposed improvements to the high school will take potentially three years, as work will be performed while school is in session. Time is of the essence.

The school board meets next on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at Salnave Elementary. These meetings are always open to the public and their comments. Please come and show your support and voice your opinion.

Laura Jongeward

Cheney

 

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