CV bond necessary to keep schools strong

A little over 10 years ago, I wrote in support of the upcoming bond for two new high schools in Central Valley. I grew up in Opportunity and Liberty Lake, became a teacher and a school volunteer, and was a parent with a child at each of the two high schools at the same time. Also, living on the west end with a business at the east end added to my somewhat unusual perspective on district dynamics.

I wrote then of simpler times that I, as a graduate of Central Valley High School in the early ’60s, felt as I walked through the doors of that grand new building on Sullivan. Only later did I fully appreciate the sacrifice and commitment made by my community. State-of-the art facilities, extraordinary teachers and connected administrators helped propel generations of Valley kids successfully into the challenging post-Sputnik world. And in 1998, the community responded again for those much needed new high schools.

Now, we are at another crossroads. There is great economic pain out there that reaches into almost every household in some manner with a basic struggle for finite, limited resources between the public and private sector. Money must be well-spent and invested carefully by everyone. The severity of this recession dwarfs most, even though I remember economic hardships of my business-owning parents in this Valley, as well as those of our own family.

This then is the dilemma. Though the pain is very real, this is once again an important moment – a time to once more renew the promise of one generation to another, and to educate our children for a new century. There is a whole new world out there powered by technology as well as very real threats to our way of life. Emerging nations of huge competitive energy will severely test our economic well-being. Business already knows this. Our schools must evolve to compete. Thus, it is a never-ending quest: to succeed, we must be called upon periodically to “step-up” for all children, not just our own.

I understand however how some might question this “investment.” Most facilities look just fine. However, having spent much time in the schools throughout the years, appearances can be deceiving. That great-looking building, because of creative preventive maintenance, can present a false picture. The now-replaced high school on Sullivan had no more than one outlet per room and conduit running everywhere. Insulation and exposed wires in closed off areas and narrow, unsecured hallways made for poor circulation, security and safety. The “newer” U-Hi had many of the same failings, and staff and maintenance were just as heroic.

So it goes today. Ponderosa Elementary looks great, but as the Voice feature (Jan. 6) points out, important issues must be addressed. None are frivolous. There is no price that can be put on safety and huge cost to us all when facilities impact learning. Basics still are essential, but complexity demands much more. To those in the Greenacres area, overcrowding is glaringly apparent as is the need for a new elementary. Large elementary populations impact small children in negative ways that have consequences later.

Lastly, good schools are good business. Families and companies choose communities for schools. And as a testimony to the quality of life in the Valley, positive school experiences here have much to do with so many loyal Valley alumni staying and/or returning here. It is my hope that citizens will carefully consider this bond and the valuable opportunity for significant matching funds. The times are challenging and though the decision is not easy, the real measure of a community is often how it responds to challenges when times are toughest.