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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

I know some of you are still pondering the question, "Why should I vote 'yes' for the Sisters School District bond?

This bond measure is for the Sisters school children, its not for the board members or administrators; it's for our children in the community. We have an excellent education program for our children, what we are lacking is the right infrastructure to support this program. This school bond will provide the means to build a safe and adequate infrastructure.

I think the time is right for this bond! The school board has done its due diligence in finding the correct compromise in meeting community concerns with the needs of our children.

They lowered the amount of the bond from $22 million to $20.5 million. They hired qualified consultants to guide them in their needs assessments and analysis. They answered your questions regarding why the need for a new high school versus a new middle school. They answered your question in regards to the feasibility of portable classrooms. They provided specific data related to the safety concerns at the current middle school.

They have committed to reduce the bond indebtedness by selling the middle school property. Lastly, the timing couldn't be better as interest rates are very favorable.

I voted for the bond in November and with this additional data provided to the community, I now feel even better about the proposed bond. So join me in voting "yes" on May 15 .

Rod Hjelmstad

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To the Editor:

Sisters has been ill-served by its school district leadership.

Imagine the unimaginable: that Steven Gage had attacked Sisters girls he met on his school "rounds," instead of out-of-towners. Would parents, the community, and the district be resigned to "bad men do evil?" Are we too scared to ask tough questions?

The inescapable truth is that Gage, this beast, could continue his crimes for so long partly because the district sanctioned him and his ranch: he was appointed by the superintendent as a volunteer truancy officer; his school designated an official site.

Child abusers don't wear self-descriptive signs. To protect children, public administrators have the duty to practice "due diligence," to carefully establish and enforce hiring, volunteering, and supervisory rules. Of course, the foundation of effectiveness is accountability. In its absence, Gage just... happened. The terrifying conclusions: it could, it will happen again. Are we too scared to ask for, to demand accountability?

On another issue, I disagree with the district's decision to seek a school bond. Fact: Sisters enrolled 805 K-8 students in 1991; by 2001, 725. Assumption: New homes mean more students than before. Fact: New arrivals are older, higher-income. They have few, if any, kids at home. Moreover, higher taxes will drive out and exclude the young.

Moving the 300 middle-school students to the high school means the building would be half empty. At the past two years' average growth, it would take over 20 years to fill. Also, placing high and middle schools nearby is bad policy: younger students will be exposed to sexual pressure, substance use, and intimidation.

Let's fix the middle school and purchase modulars until growth is proven. Our superintendent and school board have confused planning with guessing. Gambling $20.5 million is...nuts. (And please read your ballot closely; notice all those vague bullets?)

Jayme Vasconcellos

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To the Editor:

In past days, one would often try to end an argument or debate by shouting out, "It's not the money, it's the principle."

Everyone we talked to seems to agree the Sisters schools are first rate. From the young people we have met and who go to the schools, we have to agree. So if the schools are doing a good job, the principle seems to be a worthy one to support.

However, after reading most of the letters to the editor against the Sisters school bond, where all types of reasons are given for not voting for the bond, it looks like it pretty much boils down to those willing to pay for education and those who don't want to pay.

Or in other words, "It's the money, not the principle."

Looking at the situation Sisters faces and listening to the analysis done by the school board, it appears wise and more economical to build a new high school now. Yes, they made mistakes with the current high school, but I believe they have learned from that experience and the new high school will be a well-built and well-managed project.

Also, just so no one thinks that all retired, conservative-Republican, pro vouchers, no-children, recently arrived property owners are against school bonds -- let it be known that my wife and I are all of the above and we will be voting for the school bond.

When public schools are doing a good job, they should be supported. We hope you think so too and will join us in voting "yes."

Carl and Judi Yee

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To the Editor:

The emotional tone of the messages from the Committee for Sisters Schools is not as convincing for the need for a new school as factual information would be.

How was the information gathered which gives rise to the urgency indicated? Has there been a statistical analysis done on the community to indicate that school enrollment in the future will hold to the large growth pattern of 1990-2000? ... "enrollment is expected to increase 25-30 percent in the next five years ..."

By what criteria was this statement generated? Is the grade school growing at a rate which would indicate that the middle school would be entirely overwhelmed in the future?

Why will the high school need $8 million in upgrade and repair if it is to be used as a high school but will be satisfactory for use as a middle school?

How many students was the high school designed for when it was constructed? How many are currently enrolled? Why don't you identify the size of classes in the middle and high school, which may be overloaded to show what the teachers are faced with? Are all teachers being asked to shoulder an impossible load in every class, or is it that just a few rooms would suffice?

To say now is a good time to build because the interest rates are favorable is not any more reasonable than a person using the same argument for building a new house when all they really need is to add on a room.

Having the architectural firm do an analysis of the current buildings' suitability when it is the one who is going to profit from school construction seems to allow for a strong possibility of conflict of interest.

Sincerely,

B. Graham

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To the Editor:

Now is the time to vote "yes" on the school bond. The school board has diligently examined reasonable options and proposed a sound solution to meet our foreseeable needs in a quality way. Their proposal makes good sense (cents) for our community.

The current middle school can't be retrofitted to meet our long term needs in a quality way. It is 30 percent over capacity now, and enrollment will increase another 10-15 percent over the next 5-7 years. It also has significant safety, accessibility and limited land base issues as well.

The high school is not now at full capacity, but it will be soon with projected enrollment increases of 30-35 percent over the next 5-7 years.

I realize the economic downturn in our country makes it difficult for many of us to vote "yes" for a tax increase right now. But we must make long term investments in our schools a priority.

The longer we wait, the higher construction costs will be. And NOW is a good time to lock in a loan. Additional delays may only cost us more in interest expenses. For example, the total cost of a 21 year $20.5 million bond increases by over $3 million for each percent increase in interest rates.

We should also consider the choices we make in spending our hard earned dollars. For the owner of a $200,000 home, the annual tax increase will be $298. This equates to $24.83 per month or $5.73 per week. Subtract 15-30 percent if you itemize your federal taxes. Then consider what other things we drop a few dollars on over the course of a week, and whether those few dollars wouldn't be better spent on our schools.

The quality of our children's educational experience is our responsibility. Please share it with me and VOTE YES.

Bill Anthony

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To the Editor:

We support the school bond on the May ballot.

In our experience, portable classrooms were not a good alternative to permanent buildings. In nearly every instance they were brought in as a stop-gap measure and they remained as a permanent part of the school.

They became eyesores and maintenance problems. Neither teachers or students thought they were desirable classrooms. It is necessary to expand our schools, and we should do so with permanent buildings. The revised plan by the school board is reasonable, and we encourage citizens to vote in favor of the bond measure.

Marsha and Cal Allen

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To the Editor:

The choices we make for our schools affect many other aspects of our community that go beyond education... facility resources available (or limited) for community use, such as for performing arts, Sisters Starry Nights; for potential activities like swimming, little league sports, SOAR; for transportation and infrastructure; for social functions that may underscore the need for a community center to augment school facilities.

I propose that, if the school bond is passed on May 15, the Sisters community move to purchase the existing middle school site...the property and all its buildings...to develop as a community center for all ages with all the varied uses and applications that that would include.

It would also just be nice to preserve a visible piece of Sisters space and architecture that can keep us in touch with some of our community roots that can be shared with people passing through.

The School Board recently published its decision and commitment to reduce the high school bond indebtedness by whatever amount is realized in the sale of the existing middle school. If the community arranges to buy it, we will reduce our own school debt by that amount and have a community center.

I would join last week's letter writer who committed 100 hours of his own time to repair, restore and upgrade the middle school facilities if the community moves to make it a community center; I would commit to add 50 hours (minimum) of my own time to add to that and have a feeling there are many others in our community who would be doing the same.

If the Sisters school bond passes on May 15, my first move as chair of the CATS Community Forum Committee will be to organize and schedule a community forum to provide information, to present a plan for action and to provide a forum for public question-answer, input, and discussion of any and all aspects of such a community endeavor.

Respectfully offered,

Emil Smith

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To the Editor:

When is the right time to pass a bond issue of any kind? Never! When is the time right to pass a school bond? Now.

Why? The need is evident, the package makes sense, interest rates are down.

Educationally and economically it is the right time. The choice to wait will only drive up costs, as it did with the sewer.

As adults, we have benefited from the education paid for by our parents and grandparents at a time when it was hard for them to pay, too.

As adults, we have a responsibility to provide the same opportunity for today's children and grandchildren.

The time is right. The need is there. The choice is ours to do the right thing.

Please vote, and please vote "yes."

Lois and Tom Worcester

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To the Editor:

We do not have children in the Sisters School District system and never will. Be that as it may, we are voting "yes" on the bond measure for completely selfish, self-serving reasons: In our view, there is no better investment for the health and future of our community than in its children.

We received strong, foundation-building public educations in appropriately-sized classes held in well-maintained facilities from dedicated and respected teachers. We are obligated, and indeed privileged, to provide the same opportunity for the coming generation just as they should feel similarly obligated and privileged.

The great majority of folks who do not favor the bond measure feel that way for legitimate reasons, not because they are anti-education. Unfortunately, given the change in state support levels since we were in school, it hits home differently now and involves more apparent, if not different, choices and priorities.

We cannot think of a better choice or higher priority. Please vote "yes."

Chuck and Betty Fadeley

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To the Editor:

"Where are the cops when you need them?"

Each spring, I coordinate a major sled dog training seminar at La Pine State Park. "Mushing Boot Camp" brings instructors from Minnesota together with sled dog teams from throughout the West.

This year, our training seminar experienced some unwelcome excitement. Thieves entered the state park during the night and stole one of the ATV's being used for the seminar; it happened to be mine.

I watched incredulously as my quad was towed off into the bushes, unable to do anything to stop the theft. The events of the next 24 hours can be described as no less than a "police-work of art."

My call to 911 dispatch was handled quickly and efficiently.

Even as Deschutes County Sheriff's Deputy Garibay responded to the call, he was assessing the situation. Being the only deputy on duty for all of southern Deschutes County, he requested assistance from the Sunriver Police Department and stationed them where he believed the thieves might emerge.

Imagine the surprise of the thieves when they were met at the other end of the dirt road by Sunriver officers Marston and Collier! After a short but lively chase, one of the thieves veered his four-wheeler down a spur road to escape...and flew off a five-foot embankment into the Deschutes River! Caught... redhanded and soaking wet!

Continued efforts during the day by Deputies Malloy, Leak, Williams and the Deschutes County Marine Patrol were successful at apprehending the second thief. A total of three stolen ATVs were recovered -- including mine (abandoned in a swamp) and the one floating down the river (the out-of-area owner was not even aware it was missing).

Both thieves pled guilty to numerous charges and will most likely be dining on institutional food for some time.

So, back to the original question. When I needed them, "cops" Garibay, Malloy, Williams and Leak from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office aided by Marston and Collier from the Sunriver Police Department were there!

They did their job and did it well.

Please cast your vote to pass the Deschutes County Sheriff's levy. Let's keep our deputies working for us!

My thanks,

Karen Yeargain