News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
After falling short by 26 votes in November, the Sisters School District will ask voters again this March to approve a renewal of the local option levy.
The levy, with a rate of 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, funds classroom programs to the tune of approximately $1 million. According to School Board Chair Christine Jones, it is local option that allows the district to keep class sizes small, with student-teacher ratios averaging 20- to 26-1. Local option also allows the district to offer expanded programs, including foreign language, arts and music programs.
The school board unanimously passed a resolution calling for a second try at the polls, but not without some reservations.
School board members said they have sought out opinions from their constituents, but haven't received a strong message either way about the measure.
"I'm very concerned," said board member Mike Gould. "I'm going to support this vote, but with tremendous apprehension... I've not heard loudly to do it. The reason I'm able to support this is that I haven't heard loudly not to do it."
Board member Jeff Smith believes that the muted community voice means people in Sisters want the school board to lead on the matter.
"I have the sense in the community that they look to the school board to provide leadership for the kids," he said. "In their busy lives... they don't take the time to be passionate about things they consider us responsible for."
Tom Dumolt argued that the community has spoken, albeit indirectly. He noted that voters chose a slate of city council candidates that ran on an economic development platform, a sign that a strong local economy is a priority.
"We need a strong community for people to want to be here," he said. "Strong schools will accomplish that."
He said that economic development is unlikely without strong schools bolstered by local option funding.
Both Glen Lasken and Christine Jones were unequivocal in their support for a second try with voters, Jones stating that "it's what the children of Sisters deserve."
She concurred with Dumolt that the impact of local option has effects beyond classrooms.
"There's a great deal at stake for the children of Sisters and for the community of Sisters itself," she said.
Jones said that the board is responsible for informing voters as to just what is, in fact, at stake.
The local option renewal will appear on the March 10 ballot.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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