Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I wish to respond to the concerns regarding year-round scheduling expressed in a letter printed in the April 3 edition of The Nugget.

The primary concern is that families with an elementary/middle school student on a YRE schedule and a high school student on a traditional schedule would have a logistical nightmare juggling their childrens' schedules, especially if both parents are working.

Recognizing this potential problem, districts that have gone to YRE have developed one schedule which is compatible with the high school schedule. Here in Oregon, Woodburn School District, which has a YRE schedule K- 8 and traditional schedule 9- 12, built in common vacation time for all students K- 12. However, it is interesting to note that some families elected to have their children on different schedules which allows them to spend more time with each child one- on- one.

The important point to remember here is if Sisters School District should go to YRE for its students K-8, one of the scheduled tracks would be compatible with the high school calendar. And, each family will have the opportunity to choose the track they wish for their children.

Another concern is that YRE is a stop-gap measure for easing crowding of schools, at least in the case of the Woodburn School District. Currently over 2,000 school districts in the country have implemented YRE of which 50 percent chose it primarily for academic reasons.

Research shows that some students not only learn more slowly, but they tend to lose their knowledge more rapidly during vacation periods. Shorter vacation breaks enhance the momentum and continuity of instruction.

According to Ruth Ann Audritsh, Curriculum Director for the Woodburn School District, the YRE schedule allowed staff to structure educational programs which enhance the academic achievement of their students. Even though the Woodburn School District just passed a bond issue for additional schools they still believe that YRE is academically sound and wish to continue with it on a single track basis.

There are obviously a number of issues that need to be addressed in making the decision as to the school schedule that will best provide for our childrens' educational progress. There will be future forums to address these issues so that the community will have the data to make an intelligent decision.

Until then, if you should have any questions or concerns or simply want some information on YRE, don't hesitate to call me at 549- 8521.

Judy May, Superintendent

Sisters School District

Last week I was lucky enough to join a briefing of some students being shown ways computers are used in the middle/high school.

We watched the computer the students use to control the cameras and graphics during the 10-minute morning news program, which is seen by all students each morning. Using this computer the students put on a program with razzle-dazzle and graphics which at least rivals Z- 21 in Bend.

We saw computers put out polished blueprints for house plans, we watched examples of the animated programs done for the news broadcasts, we saw computers control machines to make stickers to advertise the Outlaws teams and others used to run small milling machines.

We talked about the new corporation the students have set up to provide service to the Internet and saw samples of their professional newsletter which makes use of the new field of digital photography.

And there were dozens of other skills being taught that we never sampled. It is not only the computers which are impressive, it is, more importantly, the ability of students to use them.

I don't see how anyone who witnessed the efforts being made to give these students the skills they need in today's world could not wholeheartedly approve the school bond issue.

I certainly will.

Bill Miller

Since the Sisters School District wants $5.5 million of your hard-earned tax money, maybe now is a good time to see how they waste it.

When the new high school was built they drilled a well that cost nearly $200,000. Instead of using that well for their own needs they deeded it to the city for free. Now as a return favor, the city meters and charges the school district for its water usage -- $46,000 a year. Guess what? The district now wants us to buy them another well because water costs are too high.

Another example of wasteful spending. Some classified employees may work as little as four hours a day to get the district's fully paid benefits package. This includes a health insurance plan with medical, dental, and vision, not just for the employee but for the entire family. The cost -- $409 per month. What's more disturbing, the employee gets this benefit for the entire year even if they work just nine months.

A recent article in The Nugget told about students having to share textbooks. That $200,000 give- a- way would have bought a lot of books. It's time for the Sisters School District to get their house in order. You can help by voting "no" on the bond levy.

Howard Paine

Like so many Sisters residents my wife and I moved here for the quality of life. Our grown children and grandchildren still live the big city life in California.

Because of that our grandchildren will attend a school that is tired and worn, their school days will be spent in facilities that need updating and schools that are crowded, desperately in need of additional classrooms. Schools that have campus security personnel to deal with discipline, drugs and other social problems that disrupt the learning process.

As residents we look at our new community with pride, bragging most often to our out-of-state friends about the quality of our schools.

At the same time we have the concern that we could allow our school district to slowly deteriorate as big city schools have; that the community will be negligent in their support to keep the Sisters school district updated and competitive with other districts; that we won't provide the needed classroom space or maintain our facilities for safety and an attractive appearance.

We hope we will always provide new and updated equipment for learning, textbooks that are current and enough books for every student, buses for safe transportation and the money necessary to keep the very best teachers and administrators.

Although many of us in Sisters no longer have children in the school system, it is our hope that you are motivated as citizens to provide your financial support for the school children in our community.

A citizens committee has been working for over two years to make recommendations to cope with the district's growth and provide alternatives for the community's consideration. The opportunity is here for us to show our support by voting "yes" on May 21for a bond issue that will provide the funds necessary to keep our schools current and prepared for our school children.

Peter and Janet Storton

There is always a tremendous need for housing in Sisters if you are a developer.

In a country that contains approximately 5 percent of the world's population, is responsible for 25 percent of global energy consumption and contributes 22 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, it is no surprise that these economic philosophies of expansion and consumption seem to grease the wheels developers roll into City Hall on.

Developers want the city to expand its urban growth boundary and change zoning for higher densities, because they seem to know what's best for us.

One developer in particular would like to see Sisters two or even three times the size it is currently. After all, we would have a larger tax base and could buy more sports equipment for our overcrowded schools. Once again an alarming global situation fades away into the backdrop of special interest at local levels.

This is America, and as developer Ted Eady puts it to us, "I just love it." I think that is what Buffalo Bill said too, every time he pulled the trigger.

Yes, this is America, and I suppose the least we can do is let developers like Eady get their zoning changes and build high density rentals -- housing -- whatever. After all, we all know how high-quality those are. Then, of course, the drug users Mr. Eady refers to, living in the little run- down houses around town can have a nicer place to live and rent from him.

The beat goes on. If ever there was a time to establish sustainable economic policies, population growth control insuring ecological and social health, it's now.

Peter White

With respect to the goals required under the Oregon Land Use Law, I found Sisters' new comprehensive plan to be troubling in several areas.

Given the strong language used under Goal One for public involvement, I felt the city was remiss not to have copies of the Comprehensive Plan available at the Sisters Public Library (as of April 11). Paragraph four under Goal One reads "a copy of all technical information shall be available at a local public library or other location open to the public."

A second area of concern was under Goal 14 with regard to the need to change or expand Sisters' Urban Growth Boundary based on population growth.

Under Goal 14, there are seven factors listed. Factor 1 raises the question regarding population growth which reads "Demonstrated need to accommodate long- range urban population growth requirements consistent with the Land Conservation and Development Commission goals."

The case in point regarding the comprehensive plan is found on page five entitled "Trends and Characteristics" which reads "Sisters was incorporated in 1946 with a population of approximately 700. By 1994 the population within the city limits reached 827."

A reasonable person would conclude that in a 48-year period Sisters grew by only 127 persons, or at a rate of 2.65 persons per year. In the middle paragraph of page six of the comprehensive plan it reads "household average size of 2.46 is reflective of the retirement character of the community."

With the near completion of the Buck Run subdivision and the approximately 40 buildable lots, one could assume that there are a sufficient number of lots available within the city limits to last for the next 30 to 40 years.

On the positive side, the comprehensive plan was found to be interesting and informative about some of the historical and environmental aspects of Sisters.

John Allen

Our system just has too many kinks.

Our great city of Sisters has been allocated money to put in a visitors' center. Who knows how much, I haven't a clue. Now the powers-that-be have decided to put it in an area where I see cars dodging each other regularly; now we'll have tourists walking there as well.

Oh good.

Our tourists have a visitors' center and our children share school books. What's wrong with this picture.

Sincerely yours,

Denice Cristiano

If Alternative 2 of the East Portal of the McKenzie Scenic Byway comes to pass, I'll be able to direct visitors to Crossroads where I live as follows:

"Go on 242 about two miles past the traffic jam at the toilet and about one mile short of the gravel mine and turn left at Crossroads Road."

Wonderful.

Gordon L Parkhurst

To the Editor:

I'm one of your eccentrics because I've always got a silly-looking doggy with me -- Judd.

He is my lifeline! I live alone and I make sure he can get out of the house -- day and night.

We sleep together and I think he chases moths outside. Nothing can get near the house without him waking me. I keep a jazzy gun handy. If he tears out barking and the barking suddenly stopped, I'll be totally primed.

One morning I put a clear glass saucer down for my cat. The phone rang, and when I returned to the kitchen I stepped on the clear, clean saucer. I skated across the kitchen and went down -- cracking my head.

I wasn't out and Judd stayed with me for a short time. I didn't get up and he took off. I don't know where he went. It was early and I'm sure he would have gone everywhere seeking help. He came back to check. I was up and spent great time trying to tell him how proud I was of him. Silly, what?

Many of you met my mother in 1995. She was 92. She elected to return to her beloved Mojave Desert where she had lived for 30 years.

She had a neighbor, very viable and always on the go. She had family in Los Angeles. She was unseen for weeks and her car was visible. It took neighbors an idiot time to finally check on her.

They found her dead and her dog locked in with her. The dog was large enough to drink out of the toilet. He had eaten her.

Quite a telephone tree was set up.

Judd is too short to reach a toilet.

Glory Dagget

To the little people litter patrol on Friday April 12: Thanks.

Jean Cooper