Letters

Sat., Dec. 25, 2010

Our children deserve remodeled schools

I urge you to become an informed voter and visit some of our schools that are planned to be remodeled as part of the upcoming Central Valley School District bond. I am confident that a tour of Greenacres Elementary School, for example, will result in a “Yes” vote for supporting our kids and our community.

The conditions of our elementary schools are far worse than schools in other districts in our area. I have toured four elementary schools in one neighboring district that will be remodeled or replaced as part of a 2009 bond and the two elementary schools slated to be remodeled in another neighboring district’s February 2011 bond.

If any of these schools were located in our district, they would be remodeled in a future bond because they would not make the list of the highest priorities that need to be addressed in the 2011 bond. These schools do need to be remodeled, however, they are in considerably better condition than the schools our district plans to remodel as part of the upcoming bond. Many of our elementary schools do not adequately provide a safe and appropriate educational environment for our kids. This is not a commentary on the great efforts of the staff, teachers and administrators, but of the buildings themselves and their systems.

I feel fortunate that my kids are attending Liberty Lake Elementary School. There is a huge disparity between this 12-year-old school and the elementary schools that will be remodeled as part of the February 2011 bond. The state recognizes that after 20 years, school facilities may be in need of remodel or updating and are then eligible for matching funds to help pay for the construction. The average age of the four elementary schools planned to be remodeled in this bond will be around 40 years by the time construction is completed.

We need to begin addressing the conditions of our schools and provide equitable and appropriate educational environments for all children in our community. Approving this bond will meet the most current urgent needs of our school system and get us started on the 25-year Long Range Facility Plan. This Long Range Plan currently includes adding a new high school per the 2015 bond to address the over crowding at the high schools and other middle school and elementary school needs.

Ken Murphy

Liberty Lake

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