Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

Sisters does not need a new high school.

There's a temporary overcrowding at the middle school that's going away shortly. Sisters wants to build a new high school with an 800-student capacity. Its current high school has a 600-student capacity. Its current middle school has a 265 capacity. This means that Sisters is proposing a capacity requirement for 1,665 students from grade six through high school senior.

The elementary school averages 70 students per grade. That projects to 490 kids (grade six through high school senior) within a few years. That's less than 30 percent of the capacity Sisters claims that it needs. At that point you could actually house the middle school and the high school students in the current high school building.

You want a quick fix? The middle school is 42 students over capacity. The high school is 155 students under capacity. Move the eighth grade to the high school building.

Another interesting fact: According to the American Federation of Teachers when teachers salaries are adjusted by the cost-of-living index, Oregon has the highest paid teachers west of the Mississippi River.

In fact, Oregon's teachers make 10 percent more than teachers in California, 14 percent more than Washington's teachers, and a whopping 24 percent more than teachers in Idaho. Sisters wants additional monies for books, maintenance costs, and teachers.

If our teachers were paid at the California rate, would that additional 10 percent be enough for the books, maintenance and new teachers that Sisters wants? Doesn't the school board own a piece of property that it could sell to cover these costs?

Taxpayers are tired of paying Oregon's public employees at rates so much higher than equivalent employees in our neighboring states. That's the real reason Oregon is continually going from one budget crisis to the next.

Brigitte Gager

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Editor's note: The Nugget invited Sisters School Superintendent Steve Swisher to address the points and questions Ms. Gager raised in her letter. His response follows here:

To the Editor:

The original High School architects, projected that the current High School could hold up to 600 students. By taking every possible teaching station in the school and multiplying it by 30 students you can arrive at that number.

However, this means specialty areas such as computer and technology labs would be filled every period and could not be used for other classes to do research or special projects as intended.

Further, the demand for the cafeteria, library, gym, and related field facilities is constantly over capacity.

The current middle school has an infrastructure capacity such as cafeteria, library, labs, locker rooms, music room, and gym space for only 120 students.

Some grade levels currently in the high school and middle school have over 100 students. These class levels had only about 70 students when they were first graders.

There are currently over 1,300 buildable residential building sites within the Sisters School District boundaries. At the past and current rate of building, these lots will be built out with residences over the next five to seven years.

Using our own district's demographic and conservative comparisons with other similar communities, the estimate is that every four residential units will bring one school age child.

These students will tend to be high school and middle school age. This means that our student population in grades 6-12 will increase by at least 325 students just due to the current buildable lots.

This does not take into account housing densification due to the sewer.

Moving eighth graders to the current high school would overtax the infrastructure capacity of that facility and would mean that class sizes would go up.

Further, the current grade groupings of elementary K-5, middle 6-8, and high 9-12 are age appropriate and provide the best academic continuity. Most importantly, it is just not age appropriate or a good instructional practice to mix eighth graders with 9-12th graders.

The Sisters School Board has worked hard the past two years to change the zoning to light industrial on the 30 acre Lundgren Mill site.

The board is committed and has a responsibility to sell this property for the maximum value possible. The proceeds will go for infrastructure improvement and facility repair beyond what the local option can pay for. This will save the need for future taxation for these purposes.

Sisters teachers' salaries are below the state average. They are a little below Bend and Redmond's salaries and significantly below the metro areas of the Willamette Valley.

There are many different national salary surveys; many that conflict with each other.

The Oregon School Boards Association is an excellent clearinghouse of information for a variety of national school surveys and salary information. They can be reached at (503) 588-2800 or at [email protected]

Steve Swisher, Superintendent

Sisters School District

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To the Editor:

I will probably be considered as a pariah by my friends and neighbors for writing this letter, but when you live on a fixed income, anything that may upset the "delicate balance" of that income causes some concern. I refer of course to the two school issues on the election ballot.

Upon receiving the current tax statement from Deschutes County with it's current assessed and RMV values, I calculated the additional tax burden to my family if these two issues should pass.

Next I calculated the increase in income from the proposed 3.5 percent increase in Social Security and subtracted the tax increase from the income increase and guess what? There was not enough "cost of living" increase to pay for the additional tax burden.

I have been paying taxes to Deschutes County for over 30 years, for the Redmond High School bonds when the students were bused to Redmond, for various other school levies and for the "New" Sisters High School (which is still a massive boondoggle).

Over 56 percent of my tax bill will go to District #6. When is there ever enough? Is there anyone out there who cannot figure out how I will mark my ballot?

Gary F. Woods

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To the Editor:

I'm sure this will not be the only response to Mr. Williams' letter of October 25. I would like to give him my personal feelings as to why passage of the school bonds will enhance local real estate values.

Our family moved to Sisters this past summer. The reason we chose to live in Sisters, instead of any of the other towns in this area, was because of the excellent reputation of the schools here. We paid more for our lot (probably twice as much) because a good education for our three girls is our highest priority.

The majority of relocating families share our feelings. This is how your property value increases. A community who cares about and supports their school children is a desirable place to live, and people are willing to pay a premium for that. From my own experience in our past two moves, communities that have the best maintained schools and the highest test scores have the higher property values.

And while we are on the subject, I would have voted yes to the "enhanced" version of the school bond (swimming pool, theater, etc.). Young people need activities and places to play. Kids with time on their hands and no place to go will get into trouble. That will not increase your property value.

Lynne Fujita-Conrads

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To the Editor:

For those of you that haven't voted yet on the Sisters school tax increase, I hope you take a look at your property tax bills first.

For those of you who don't own property, don't think that it won't affect you. Higher taxes cause goods and services, i.e. rent, to go up, and wages to go down.

When I look around Sisters, I see a tremendous amount of growth over the past few years. For every new home, or commercial building that has been built lately, the tax revenues for that property have increased several times over.

Where is that money going?

The money is going to Salem, and there is adequate money in Salem to fund our schools. So, why aren't the schools being funded? It is because our state government doesn't consider school funding the highest priority, and they don't respect us, the citizens and taxpayers of this state.

They are using the welfare of our children to blackmail us into raising our taxes. This is just outrageous.

As near as I can determine, this property tax increase will be about 30 percent! We just can't afford it. We need to send a message to Salem that it is time to do the right thing. If they don't, we need to change the law to guarantee adequate school funding. If they get away with this, do you think it will stop here. No, they will always ask for more.

Unfortunately, the right thing is not always the easy thing, but it will not be any easier the next time. Please say no to irresponsible government.

Thank you,

Larry Cagle

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To the Editor:

This is about all the letters that have been left in my paper boxes about the school tax bond.

Both of the sides have put their ideas on paper then left them all over the area in the Bulletin boxes that I use and it makes me stop to see what is in my tubes.

I took most of them out and turned them over to the newspaper. So if you are thinking about putting something in the tubes, I take everything out and keep it. If you are a business or if it is political or anything that does not come in the paper it comes out, so you are wasting your money.

Claudia Peden

Bulletin carrier

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To the Editor:

Like so many of our Sisters residents my children are adults now with children of their own.

I look back at the struggles of the school district that my children attended as they constantly labored to meet the challenge and demand to properly provide adequate facilities and educational materials. To provide the best teachers along with the other ingredients that furnish Americas children the very best educational opportunity which also includes their respect for the environment in which they learn.

I remember that there was always the need for additional classroom space, to reduce class size, proper and updated education materials, repair and maintenance of the facilities and yes the sports, music and other extra curricular activities that are a meaningful part of young peoples attitudes and opportunities.

Most important with all of these concerns were our teachers. Teachers that could teach, rather than discipline, that were compensated in comparison with other professions and respected by the parents, community and their peers.

My promise to myself was simple: after my children were grown I would continue wherever I reside to always make the children, their education and their future opportunity my priority. As I experienced in the past we can continue to place another Band-Aid on our problems or we can today, right now provide our children the facilities, properly paid teachers, current educational materials and all that is needed to get the best result.

Our community has responded personally by providing the gift of additional classrooms for the elementary school.

Jeri Fouts along with Susan Arends and their committee have originated Sisters Starry Nights, an annual fund-raiser for the benefit of our schools. It's our turn as citizens to do our individual part as well.

Please vote YES for the Sisters schools. When our children win our country and we do too.

Peter Storton

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To the Editor:

Every even calendar year, the best month to take a vacation is October -- the entire month if you can do it.

Anyplace or anywhere to get away from the media's bombardment of political opinion. This year $3 million is being wasted nationally, on quality wood product and electricity, in an attempt to convince you to vote for either a Grinning Fool or A Fool Grinning.

Even a kindergartner should be able to figure out why the last eight years has been the best this country's had in a long time. We had the perfect political partnership: A Democrat for President and Republican control of Congress. Political gridlock is the best kind of government for the people.

Oregon-wide $3 million is being spent by special interests in an attempt to convince you that raising your taxes is in some way going to benefit you personally, or to keep our elected officials from having to make the difficult political decisions.

In Oregon it is getting easier to sort out the ballot measures. It's boiling down to Sizemore/Mabon versus The League of Women Voters/Oregon Teachers Coalitions. All you have to do is name your brand of poison.

And locally we have an even better assistant in helping you make the right choice on the ballot issues -- The Nugget Newspaper. I have found their editorial opinions very useful as the last resort if I can't make up my mind on an issue. I just vote the opposite view and have found this approach to be in my own best interest.

These elections are extremely important and your decisions will be far ranging and long lasting. Think about just the local school bond issues of $24 million being decided on by 2,400 voters. Each vote is worth $10,000. A pretty staggering amount of voting responsibility that those attending school now will be responsible for in their future earning years.

Sincerely,

Tom Lippert

Editor's note: Happy to be of service. BTW, the bond is $22 million. J.C.

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To the Editor:

I visited the Sisters Middle School and discussed the bond issues with a well-informed school board member.

My concern was the large amount of money proposed to solve an ongoing problem and to see if, in my mind, a less expensive alternative was possible.

The current middle school is small and very old. All of the maintenance in the world leaves us with a small and very old school.

As a basis of comparison, I have visited my grandson's school in Vancouver. The workability of that facility for staff and children alike is clearly superior.

I feel the school board has made a solid and reasonable choice of the available options. Please take advantage of the Tuesday tour and make your decision an informed one.

Sincerely,

Mike Hinds

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To the Editor:

Voting "yes" or "no" on the two local school measures is a complicated issue for many in this small town.

The impact a new school will have on our community is far-reaching. I don't think there is a person in Sisters that doesn't "support kids" and realize that a good education is the foundation of a valuable and fulfilled life.

Some fear its expense, others are apprehensive about the growth it may encourage.

Most of the people who moved here in the past 25 years have first-hand experience with the devastation of unchecked development.

We all fled the anonymity and commercialization of a state overrun with a mass of humanity accommodated by tract houses, strip malls, high rises and fast food joints.

Now we are confronted by the same growth fever. In the past five years, the development in Sisters has been frightening. All the signs are here: real estate prices are skyrocketing, services are inadequate, affordable rentals impossible and now school overcrowding.

Our experience is the key to keep from repeating the same mistakes. To maintain the intimate quality of Sisters, it is essential to control the growth. We must draw a line and stand firm against the ravages of boomtown sprawl.

But not at the door of the school. Controlling growth at the expense of our children's education may be the most painless solution for some voters, but in the long run it will backfire on our town both by how it will be run and who will choose to live here.

Support Systems Development Charges so developers and new arrivals bear the brunt of growth. Hold our planning commissioners accountable, attend council meetings, insist on bike paths and green belts.

Keep this small town user friendly, but let's take pride in providing the finest education we can muster.

Please vote "yes" for education.

Susanne Redfield

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To the Editor:

As a taxpayer, parent, community member, Kiwaniian, and the elementary school principal, I urge you to support our two Sisters School District measures.

By now, if you have not voted you have a few leftover reservations. Perhaps, you wonder if we have done enough to use your hard earned money and taxes to the most efficient manner.

Over the last five years, I have had my budget frozen, staff cut, reduced all staff's pay or even cut days of the school year from our school calendar.

We have endured the last failed bond attempt by teaming with incredible local businesses, and individuals that contributed time, money and talent to four new classrooms at the elementary school such that no additional taxes were used.

You may or may not know that at our school, we have had over 200 volunteers (and it increases every year) donating time and service to help maintain a quality children's education.

We have created a Sisters Schools Foundation in order to help with strategic fund-raising to also maintain, restore or enrich our programs that have had reduced funding.

These efforts have kept our ship afloat, but we need some basic, broad, financial support to sustain our commitment to quality schools and deal with our community's growth.

We are not asking the taxpayer for a Mercedes Benz program. We have never asked our community for a Cadillac program.

At this time our used, 1955 Volkswagen bug (the current middle school has components that were made from 1929-1965 last addition) needs to be overhauled and converted to a Minivan of today and hopefully to last for a reasonable amount of time...

We need your help now. If we wait, it will cost us an additional $1 million a year due to increased construction costs!

Please join me in voting: Yes! Yes! (And, remember for most it's tax deductible on your federal income tax return.)

Tim Comfort

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To the Editor:

I am the Student Body President at Sisters Middle School, and we need a new school. In the mornings it is so crowded in the halls that it's hard to walk down them without having to move other people around. It seems like you are always touching someone while you are in the halls, whether you know them or not. Most of the people are nice in our school, but I know my fellow students don't like being so crowded.

We have a teacher who teaches in the art building; however, her office is in the girls' locker room. We have no extra space, so that's the only place where we had room. She teaches in a different building, so she has to walk all the way across campus just to get to her office.

Also, our school is falling apart. There are cracks in the ceiling, and lockers are broken. The carpet is very old and has food ground into it. The water fountains are small and hard to drink from, especially when the halls are so crowded. The cafeteria lines get long, and then people start to push and shove to try to move further up in the line.

Every year, more kids go to Sisters Middle School, so every year we need more room. By voting "yes," you can help give us the new school that we need.

Sincerely,

Ben Bushnell

SMS President

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To the Editor:

I am a fifth grader at Sisters Elementary and one who has lived here for 10 years; my parents for 23 years. There are 27 other kids in my class, and I think that all of them could tell you just as clearly as I can 10 reasons why you should vote yes on the local option and the construction bond. Here they are:

1. The roofs on Sisters Schools leak.

2. The middle school cafeteria only holds 100 kids.

3. The middle school library only holds 20 kids.

4. The middle school is made up of three buildings and a fourth is shared.

5. One of the buildings is without a bathroom.

6. The middle school heating system is inadequate.

7. The middle school electrical system is inadequate.

8. The middle school water fountains only run with hot water or don't run at all.

9. As more people move to the Sisters School District, the less you pay as funding costs.

10. Each year we wait for the construction bond to pass it costs $1,000,000 more.

11. Class sizes have grown HUGE!

Whoops! I was only supposed to give you 10 reasons! I gave you 11! Just goes to show you there's more reasons to vote yes than meets the eye. Thank you for reading my letter.

Yours truly,

Dane Moorehead

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To the Editor:

People need to be aware of an extremely dangerous ballot measure -- Measure 7. Under Measure 7, taxpayers would be forced to pay anyone, including out-of-state corporations, if a regulation reduced the speculative value of their land.

That means we would pay corporations for following simple environmental and land use laws.

We would be forced into an impossible choice: either stop enforcing basic laws protecting our quality of life, or pay hundreds of millions of dollars. The state estimates the cost to taxpayers at $5.4 billion a year.

Sizemore's stealth Measure 7 would destroy those things that keep Oregon Oregon. In short, it goes too far and would cost taxpayers too much.

Please join me in voting "no" on Measure 7.

Howard Paine

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To the Editor:

Watergate, Whitewater -- now Woodsgate? Right here in Sisters?

I wasn't a resident here when the land dealings for a non-materializing railroad occurred. They resulted in private ownership of Blue Lake -- no longer any public access. Increased pressure from private business threatens Suttle Lake with a similar fate.

I was here at the time of the timber theft scandals. Many of you may recall the swift transfers and early retirements of some USFS personnel. Next, two attempts to garner six acres of Sisters USFS Preserve land for private interests -- one under the shield of the Crown-Pacific exchange, one under the Sisters "land for sewers" sale.

A recent oblique reference in The Nugget by the Sisters Mayor to a proposed conference center made me wonder if attempt Number 3 was in the works! Howard Paine's recent letter in The Nugget told just two of the numberless land exchanges which netted millions of dollars for private interests at the expense of public land -- all by USFS.

The USFS is giving lip service to honesty and fair dealing even while private interests are trying to get 25 acres of this very same reserve!

Sisters' unique location practically guarantees that some of its adjoining forests will be sacrificed for development, but at what price? Have we seen the USFS Master plan, telling what other forest areas are in the "planning" stage? Any mention of green belts to preserve real estate value in these areas? Any independent appraisals of the value of these vulnerable areas?

That 25 acres at today's Sisters real estate values would probably pay the Sisters $22 million bond issue. Open, public, competitive bids might insure it. How about some legislation to allow those dollars to stay in the area of the exchange? How about taking this multi-million grab-bag of our land out of the hands of the one or two individuals now entrusted with it?

Too much potential for private manipulation without public scrutiny for my money! Lets give the land exchange a good airing -- if local interests knew that those dollars would stay in the community, for public good, I'm sure that they would watchdog them.

We don't need a Woodsgate here in Sisters!

Russell B. Williams

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To the Editor:

The Associated Press reports that the GOP is attempting to lure liberal voters away from the Gore/Lieberman ticket by airing television ads featuring Ralph Nader of the Green Party.

It is cynical, contemptible and offensive for the Republican Party to extol the virtues of Ralph Nader when their candidate hasn't the courage, intelligence or character to debate him publicly.

Sincerely,

Micheal Partridge

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To the Editor:

To echo the phrasing of Gore advisors in a current online news report, I have "a tremendous sense of unease" when I consider the impact on our country of four more years of government according to the current administration.

To have a President who furtively creates law according to his personal agenda by routinely issuing executive orders; who lies, cheats, evades, covers up, deceives; who defends the heinous partial birth abortion, which was developed not to help women, but to provide intact, undamaged specimens for trafficking in body parts, makes me tremendously uneasy.

To have militant feminist and gay agendas mainstreamed, while people with traditional values are labeled as anti-choice, extremists, homophobes -- and are pushed INTO the closet ; to have the President use judicial appointments to enforce his political agenda, makes me tremendously uneasy.

I have no reason to believe that a President Gore would change an agenda that he has championed as Vice President.

That makes me extremely uneasy. I hope it does you, too.

I'm looking for something solid to grab, to begin the climb back up the slippery slope that our government (of the people?!) has shoved us down.

In Mr. Gore's own words - "the next (few) days will decide the future of the United States for many, many years to come."

Consider carefully what kind of world you want for your kids, whose morality you want being taught to them. And please care enough to VOTE.

Lorene Richardson

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To the Editor:

The fall carnival middle school benefit this year was quite a success. We first want to thank all the middle school students who showed up to help.

A thank you goes out to the Mad Hatter parents who put all that hard work out for the event.

We really appreciate the community for coming out and making this such a success by attending.

A big thank you for all the merchants who donated prizes and raffle items.

Don't forget to view the scarecrows around town which coincided with the carnival benefit.

Mad Hatters Children's Theatre

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