Letters

Bond is the solution to school disruptions

I am writing in support of the Central Valley construction bond.

As a teacher of 19 years at Ponderosa Elementary, I am excited with the possibility of the modernization of my school with the passing of the bond. When I think modernization, I think optimal learning environment.

Imagine yourself in a classroom of 23 third-graders with movable walls, no doors or windows, and a very warm temperature. Now ask yourself is this conducive to learning? In my mind the answer is no. As educators, we do the best we can with what we have, but since we are in the business of educating children we need to do better, and now is the time.

This classroom description is my reality. Our learning environment is adversely affected by the noise in our building. With no doors to close and movable thin walls we are always fighting with distractions in the hallways and other rooms. A modernization will give us doors and solid walls so our student’s focus will be back on the learning.

Here at Ponderosa we have an erratic heating system. My classroom’s temperature is always very warm at times, approaching 80 degrees in the winter, whereas other rooms are very cold. This adversely affects student learning as it is hard to focus when you are too hot or too cold, as well as not being very cost-effective. Because of my room’s temperature and lack of air circulation, we always have a fan or two on at all times which then adds more noise thus again adversely affecting our learning environment. Having a more uniform temperature and better air circulation would focus our students again on the learning.

My classroom is only one small example of the classrooms in CV that would benefit from the passing of the bond. We all want what is best for our children and what is best is an optimal learning environment where the students can focus on the learning. We need it now. Tomorrow is too late. Join me in voting yes on the CV construction bond.

Mary Shea

Liberty Lake