Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of the school bond coming before Sisters voters in the election on May 21. Having served on the Sisters School Board for the past four years, I thought it would be helpful for voters to understand the extensive process that was used in developing the current bond proposal.

Over two years ago the school board realized that if our student population growth rate continued, our district would face an overcrowding problem in our facilities. In an effort to take a proactive approach and deal with the problem head on, the board appointed the first of two long-range planning committees consisting of parents, teachers and community leaders. In all, over 25 people were involved in the process.

Their assignment was to conduct a comprehensive study of our growth rate, evaluate our existing facilities and consider options to solve the anticipated overcrowding situation. A thorough study was conducted and every conceivable option was considered including the construction of a middle school, which was ruled out when it was determined that even if we built the middle school, we could not afford to operate the facility due to the funding constraints of Measure 5.

Far from being a dart board approach to problem solving, the current bond proposal is a carefully studied, well- thought-out plan that represents the efforts of literally hundreds of hours work each, by numerous dedicated community members over a two-year period.

Your school board takes its job very seriously. We are sensitive to concerns about an increase in property taxes. However, the fact of the matter is our overcrowding problem is very real and is now upon us. The Sisters Middle/High School has reached capacity and will be over capacity next year. We must provide a solution to the problem now.

In making the decision to bring the bond before you next week for consideration, your board is convinced that of the eight final options considered by the long-range planning committee, the current proposal best addresses our current needs, provides for future growth and represents the best value for the least amount of dollars. Regardless of how our district grows, the new facilities will be well used and are a good investment in the future of our school district and our community.

With respect to the maintenance portion of the bond proposal, it is important to note that Measure 5 has made it very difficult to operate a school district in Oregon. Our administrators have been doing an excellent job thus far continuing to provide quality education without having to drastically eliminate programs or significantly increase class size.

Unfortunately, this has put the squeeze on maintenance, repair and capital improvement areas of the budget. Our district is not alone. Other districts in Oregon have faced this same problem. Recognizing the importance of funding these areas, in the election held last March, voters in 12 out of 14 districts approved maintenance bond proposals similar to ours.

The reality is that Measure 5 has had a devastating effect on educational funding throughout the state as evidenced by the Portland Public School District's recent $9,000,000 bail-out by the City of Portland. Let's not take out our frustration with the failure of our legislators to adequately provide for school funding on our children who represent our future and the future of our country. Vote yes on May 21.

Bill Reed, Sisters School Board Chair

To the Editor:

Why can't our public agencies live within their budgets?

This time the Sisters/Camp Sherman RFPD is asking for a hefty 61 percent raise and the Sisters School District wants an additional $5.5 million. By law, both of these agencies are allowed an annual 6 percent increase without voter approval. With the current inflation rate under 3 percent, they should have plenty of money.

How many workers or retirees in Sisters are getting a 6 percent raise? Probably none.

We hear a lot about the Measure 5 limitation and its impact on schools. The statistics show the Sisters School District has probably benefited from Measure 5. In 1990- 91(before Measure 5) the state gave the district $1,038 per student; in the current year they are getting $1,423.

In addition to the state school fund money, the district operating budget is receiving ever-increasing amounts from local taxpayers; in l990- 9l it was $2.52 million. This year that has risen to $3.37 million. (Source: Oregon Department of Education, Deschutes County Tax Assessor.)

Sure, the district has experienced a student population growth, but the Long Range Planning Committee had a cost- effective plan to deal with that. They recommended a plan, costing about $2.5 million, that would add classrooms and fund a new library/media center. It also would put money into a capital projects fund for new equipment. This was all based on adopting year- round education. Instead, the Sisters School Board tacked on an additional $3 million and failed to implement YRE.

The board did not listen to the committee -- maybe they will listen to the voters.

Howard Paine

Inaccurate information regarding the funding of the Sisters School District and the upcoming bond issue continues. I again would ask that voters get the facts regarding the issues before us.

The Sisters School District does not get an annual 6 percent increase by law. The amount of money the district can spend is set by the state using a formula based on the number of students enrolled and many other factors. The Sisters School District must live within the amount it is allocated by the state.

In the 1990- 91 school year, 765 students were enrolled in the Sisters School District. Our high school students were attending Redmond High School on a tuition contract.

Today we have our own high school and have an enrollment of 1,090. This 42 percent increase in students -- with resulting increases in staff and materials, added costs of running our own high school and five years of inflation and contract agreements -- have resulted in the budget increases that we have experienced.

Increased support from the state and the local taxes over the five-year period have covered the majority of these increased costs, but the district has had to use its reserves to make ends meet.

The $2.5 million plan that is referred to in Howard Paine's letter is a fabrication. The Long Range Planning Committee has never recommended such a plan. The plan that the LRPC did recommend in their report was adopted by the school board and the present bond issue proposal was part of that plan. Year-Round Education is an issue that is now being explored by the staff, community and board.

Earl P. Armbruster

Business Manager, Sisters School District

After reading Jim Anderson's letter in the May 8 Nugget, I feel it is necessary to provide specific data in response to the issues he raised regarding the intent of the upcoming $5.5 million school bond election.

If approved, $3.5 million of the bond money will be used for facility construction and remodeling at the elementary campus as recommended by the Long Range Planning Committee.

The bond will provide funds to: add eight classrooms to the present elementary school building; add a new media and technology center and remodel and upgrade the intermediate and administrative building.

Once this building phase is completed, the seventh-eighth grade students will be housed in the newly remodeled intermediate and administration building. This move will create the needed classrooms to alleviate the overcrowding at the high school. At the same time, alternative calendar options for grades K- 8 are being explored by the board and staff with planned opportunities for community input.

If approved, the remaining $2 million of bond dollars will be used to fund: building maintenance projects; purchase of new textbooks; replacement and upgrade of equipment; installation of safety and energy conservation projects; purchase of land from the Forest Service for future growth and purchase options on current lease agreements.

These are the only areas of eligible expenditures for which bond measures may be used.

Regarding the proposed use of four classrooms at the Baptist Church, this is a temporary one- year solution. All classroom space is currently in use at the intermediate school and only one classroom is open in the administration building.

Mr. Anderson is correct when he says that Year-Round Education was an integral part of the recommendation made by the members of the Long Range Planning Committee.

The bond issue before you on May 21 embodies all of that recommendation with the exception of YRE. At the time the bond was approved by the board, they made it clear that an education of the staff and public leading to an informed decision as to the potential implementation of YRE is the next step.

Judy May

Superintendent, Sisters School District

Suppose there was a family in which there was a 10- year- old child. The parents decide to buy the child some nice new clothes, and in anticipation of the child's growth over the next few years, buy the clothes somewhat oversized. The child is delighted with the clothes and grateful to the parents for buying them.

But the child grows more rapidly than anticipated. At age 12 the clothes fit properly, but by age 14 they are much too small. They are uncomfortable and impractical. However, when the child asks the parents for new clothes that fit, the parents point out that they bought new clothes just four years ago. They were good enough then and they should still be good enough now, and perhaps the child should consider not growing so much.

The good people of Sisters bought their children a beautiful new school four years ago, and by everyone's best guess it should have been large enough for many years.

But the district has grown more rapidly than anticipated, and its buildings don't "fit" any more. The children deserve schools that fit, but some community members are saying, "We bought you a new school just four years ago. It was good enough then and should still be good enough now, and perhaps you should consider not growing so much."

Folks, these are your children, your neighbor's children, your grandchildren that will be sitting in classes of 30 or more in classrooms designed for 24 or fewer. It's not their fault that many more people than anticipated have discovered Sisters to be a wonderful place to live and have moved their families here.

In response to this growth the school district is making a request for funds that is modest and practical, and was carefully researched.

Please support the children of Sisters by voting yes on the school district bond on May 21.

Jim Harrison

In response to Mr. Gaylon Huff's letter condemning and criticizing Cliff Clemens, you, Mr. Huff, and others in the community who have not had the opportunity to know Cliff Clemens, should know some historical facts.

Cliff served as a Sisters School Board member for many, many years. He consistently advocated using common sense, avoiding excessive spending and proceeding forward only when there was a definite sense of direction that would benefit the entire community.

Cliff, in my book, is right about one thing. It does make good sense to wait until the captain (new superintendent of schools) comes on board before setting sail in the rugged financial seas of operating a small school district with a very large budget. Perhaps the new captain has some knowledge and experience that may keep you from running aground. That is why the district hired him, isn't it?

Get your captain on board first, then chart a course to sail. Good luck, and may your journey be as long and productive as the one our senior crew member Cliff Clemens traveled.

Mike Mehring

To the Editor:

The Sisters- Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District Board of Directors is asking area voters to consider updating the fire district tax base to hire additional fire medics. The district has always remained within the voter-approved tax base (there is no choice by Oregon law), and will continue to do so.

Our fire district is still primarily a volunteer department with only four full- time fire medical personnel. To respond with an ambulance or fire apparatus with a crew of three or more will take from three to 15 minutes to leave the station, depending upon the availability of volunteer personnel.

Serious medical problems and fire calls require immediate response. The district's volunteer personnel donate thousands of hours each year and have saved countless lives, but the one they lose due to a slow response might be yours.

The funds sought by a revised tax base will be used to add three additional fire medics in the first-year and continue to be used to update fire and medical equipment. The estimated first year tax rate will be $2 per $1,000 assessed value compared to the present $1.52.

The district chose not to conduct a vote yes campaign. The choice for fire district residents is whether they want to pay for faster response times.

Fire district directors are people elected by the public who volunteer their time to oversee the delivery of medical lifesaving and fire services. They are also taxpayers.

Greg Brown

Chairman, Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD

Editor's note: Three of the letters in the next group were signed only "Pregnant Teen." While The Nugget does not usually publish unsigned letters, we determined that the students who wrote these had good reasons for not including their names and that it was important in this debate to include their points of view.--ED

I am a student at Sisters High School. I am also pregnant. I would like to thank everyone who has stood up for us and shown their support; it is appreciated.

In response to Ms. van den Berg's letter, I don't disagree that many people do abuse the many programs offered, but she is wrong to make these accusations without understanding our circumstances. This is a conclusion she jumps to without the facts and without much care about our feelings.

Also, I would like to ask her just what should our parents have done? A parent's love is supposed to be unconditional. Should they have turned their backs on us at a time when we needed them the most? What chance would we have then? Whether you realize this or not, these babies are going to be their grandchildren; they would not give that up for anything.

I would also like to point out how bad Mr. Dempsey made himself and our school look when he said that seven out of eight of us were not involved in co-curricular activities, and the one who was conceived over summer. This was the only common ground he can find between us.

Unfortunately, sex can happen any time, and that was a really poor way to judge us. He basically said that this was expected from us. So parents, you better get your kids in the sports programs right away!

I don't feel that Mr. Dempsey knows a whole lot about this issue from our point of view. Not once has he come to any of our meetings or volunteered any information that might help us plan for next school year. It seems to me like he is doing his best to avoid this issue or do as little as he possibly can to help out.

As Sisters grows, unfortunately so will these issues. I encourage you not to shut your eyes to this and other issues that are yet to come. You never know when you will be faced with a similar situation, and you don't know now what your reaction will be when it's your own child.

Every person has some kind of challenge to face in their lifetime. So this is my first real challenge in life. Not only do I plan on enjoying every moment of it that I can, I am going to work hard to make it the very best I can.

Pregnant Teen

Compassion and firmness are not contradictory terms.

The May 8 issue of The Nugget contained three letters to the editor regarding the pregnancies of unwed teens. Compassion seemed to be their common, all- encompassing theme. Firmness seemed to be lacking.

"Tough love" sets firm standards. When someone's behavior goes against that standard, that person has judged herself.

Premarital sex is wrong. That's a firm standard. When someone goes against that standard, and someone else notices, the second person is called "judgmental." Really, the second person is just being observant. The first person's behavior itself has been judged against the set standard.

The choice for life is to be commended, absolutely. However, advocating that we take responsibility means being responsible. Taking responsibility often means doing without something to attain our goal. This is lacking today.

Teen pregnancies were far less common in times gone by (say 40 years ago), when parents (especially fathers) were very strict. In many respects, firmness is the greatest form of compassion, training and enabling the young person to avoid improper behavior.

A generation or so ago, "educating" young people in proper behavior did not mean sitting them down and going into long details about anatomy, disease, emotional implications and safe sex. Parents set a standard, with sure consequences for noncompliance. When this was done from an early age, the foundation was set for respect on the young person's part for rules and regulations throughout life. It can work today.

Compassion has its place, but let's not let it tip our scale out of balance. Firmness, in the setting of tough love, is essential to return our families to health and well- being.

Karen Surgeon

I would like to say thanks you to all of the people who stood up for all of us teen parents last week in TheNugget.

Personally, I don't feel that anybody in this town has any right to say anything against us in any way. I have gotten to the point that it doesn't make me that angry any more. I know what I am doing is right and nobody, no matter who they are, can make me feel any different.

That comment about parents giving us baby showers is true. Of course my mother is celebrating. She is going to have a granddaughter or grandson in a few weeks. She was quite upset at first, but then realized that I was capable of taking care of this child and providing it with what it needs to be happy and healthy. I have faith in all of us and believe that we all know what we are doing. We all plan to graduate this year, or in the upcoming year.

Everybody is talking about the teen mothers, but nobody has said anything about the fathers. Some come around when they feel it is convenient, others don't come around. At least we, the mothers, are taking full responsibility for our actions. Some are beginning to come around more and take more interest. They are acting like fathers.

But to those who are still "scared," wake up! One day you will realize what you missed; you won't be able to get it back.

Mommy-to-be

I say "Bravo" to Diane van den Berg for having the courage to state publicly what the majority or us feel but are only brave enough to say in private.

I, too, am tired of getting stuck with the bill for the irresponsible behavior of our teen-agers. I find nothing to celebrate about children having children. I think it's a tragedy, a sad way to begin a life for both the mother and the child.

Ms. Hughes thinks we should offer support and encouragement not to get pregnant. I agree. But does she think that promising these girls a welfare check is going to discourage them from engaging in activities that can result in pregnancy, or does it seem more like a reward for that behavior?

I'm all for them making sound decisions that will benefit the lives of their unborn children. There is another option that no one seems to be considering -- adoption. There are thousands of well- established couples who are capable and prepared to be loving parents to these babies. The most responsible and caring gift these girls can give their babies is to make it possible for them to have a positive start in life in a real home with two adults who are prepared to be parents.

I don't speak without compassion or experience. I have a dear friend who had an illegitimate child at 17. She kept that child and it destroyed both their lives. She never had a chance to grow and reach her potential; she was taking care of a baby. And, because she was a child herself, she made bad decisions stemming from inexperience and immaturity. Her son is now a man of 28 who still sucks off the tit of the taxpayer, has been in and out of jail and has recently fathered yet another illegitimate child. Who knows where my friend and her son have been today if she had given him the gift of adoption.

I am not condemning these girls. I was a teen-ager once, I know about racing hormones and insecurity. I merely wish to present them with a little reality check. The public is fed up with supporting the explosion of teen pregnancies and unwed mothers; welfare reform is high on their list of priorities. The well will soon be drying up and they will be forced to pursue other avenues.

Theresa Smiley

I'm writing in response to the pregnancy issue that seems to have the community in turmoil.

Some support us, while others look down upon us and stereotype us.

For those of you who seem to think that we are all ignorant and abusing the system, I have news for you. Personally, I can say that I am not even the slightest bit on the system, and many of us pregnant moms are not. Therefore, I'm not quite sure where some get off saying that all of us are abusing the system.

As far as being ignorant or having a lack of intelligence, I am quite proud to say that I'm on honor roll and have been ever since my family moved here eight years ago.

I find it quite interesting that no one has mentioned the fathers at all in this issue. You do realize that it takes two, don't you? My fiancé of almost a year is thrilled about our coming baby. He works, I work, and we realize that the road ahead is going to be rough. But at least we have taken the responsibility to face up to the fact that there will be a little one here soon and we are the sole providers for him or her.

Pregnant Teen

I wrote to commend Melinda Hughie's response to Ms. van den Berg's letter addressed to pregnant teens. The wisdom and maturity in Ms. Hughie's letter should challenge the reader to guess which of the two women is the elder.

I take hope in such evidence that there are ones among us with compassionate intelligence and judgment of this caliber.

Emil Smith

The May 9 Bulletin carried an alarming headline and caption regarding Forest Service fire suppression under a picture of the majestic view across the Headwaters of the Metolius. We feel compelled to respond to the perception created by the Bulletin's file photograph.

The article rightly characterized current Forest Service thinking about naturally caused wildfires in the wilderness areas. The article correctly characterized the Forest Service response as a set of strict criteria under which a natural fire in a wilderness setting is evaluated and might be allowed to burn unabated.

This is not a new plan, nor is it an entirely controversial plan. Naturally occurring fires are an appropriate ecosystem management tool.

What is controversial is the Bulletin's judgment that the Forest Service would not attempt to contain a fire at the Headwaters of the Metolius. This is simply not true.

Our family have been owners of the Headwaters since 1925. During Sam's lifetime he and Becky created a kind of public-private trust and partnership with both state and federal governments to protect and preserve the Headwaters in its natural state, while managing the forested areas under the highest standards.

Almost 30 years ago Sam voluntarily undertook the necessary steps to donate to the USFS the viewpoint and the path leading to it so that it would be accessible to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit it, paint it or photograph the vista of Mt. Jefferson and enjoy the tranquillity of the spot every year.

The simple volume of people who visit the spot demonstrate that this is not a wilderness area. It is absurd to think that the Forest Service, the State of Oregon's Parks and Recreation Department and Department of Forestry or the Johnson family would not do everything possible to save it in the face of a raging wildfire.

The Headwaters of the Metolius is a precious, one-of-a-kind special piece of Oregon. The Forest Service is as interested as we are in wanting it to be everyones' special place. Together we will continue to be concerned and involved with its safety and preservation. The Forest Service has assured us that their response would be immediate were the Headwaters threatened.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Samuel S. Johnson and Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson

I'd like to thank those who are supporting OutlawNet. Few towns have such an opportunity for young men and women in high school to get the experience the students are getting in business, customer service and computer service and support.

Gary Bickford