Letters to the Editor 04/20/2016

To the Editor:

I'd like to take a heartfelt moment to thank all teachers, staff and administrators in the Sisters School District - you do so much for our students, and your talents and hard work radiate through our entire community!

At the same time, I'd like to ask the Sisters community to join me in voting yes on School Bond Measure 9-108. Many of us had concerns and voted no on the school bond in 2014. However, under the guidance of our new superintendent, Curt Scholl, we are on our way to a reinvigorated school district, and this 2016 school bond better reflects our overall interests. This $10.7 million investment in our community will:

· Upgrade safety and security at all our school buildings,

·  Pay off full faith and credit obligations and deliver immediate classroom impact,

· Provide needed site improvements at all three schools, and

· Invest in facilities for student and community use. 

Take a moment to thank a teacher and to learn more about the upcoming School Bond Measure 9-108 at http://www.sisters.k12.or.us/pages/Sisters_SD/Bond_2016. Thank you.

Ann Alisa Duerden 

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To the Editor:

Election cycles always introduce slogans that attempt to tap into the emotional aspects of a constituency. This year is no different and the Sisters School District bond is drumming up the same fervor.

The news is filled with words like security, protection, investment and embarrassment, all emotive terms in their own right. Elections count on emotional response - not logical conclusions - and pedaling fear is a monetized strategy. To be sure, the school district is a political body and they are employing political strategies to advance their agenda. But is the current bond request reasonable?

In 2014, Sisters voters soundly rejected the previous bond proposal and rightfully so.

Our rejection sent a clear message to the school board, but perhaps they did not hear it.

Review the current bond and ask yourself if you should be responsible for subsidizing these requests.

New tennis courts, new ball fields, repairing the roof (although if read closely, the word "might" indicates that replacement is still possible), restructuring debt? Shouldn't the school district budget for these wants from their current budget? Would you be able to budget your household in the same manner? No one can expect to purchase a new car and not budget for future tires.

The dealership is not going to provide them.

This week is a watermark for all taxpayers. Up till now, every penny you earned goes to pay taxes and associated costs. You only start keeping your money after mid-April. Do you want to extend this period even longer? Thirty-five to 40 percent of your tax dollars are already spent on K-12; should you pay more? Fiscal responsibility is more important than a ball field because it demonstrates community responsibility.

Vote NO on Measure 9-108, Sisters taxpayers already pay enough. Hold the Sisters School District to a higher fiscal responsibility.

A.M. Lane

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To the Editor:

My husband and I moved our two young boys from Bend to Sisters nine years ago, in large part because of the outstanding reputation of Sisters schools. We saw the recession take a toll on our school enrollment. It's time, once again, to make Sisters Schools the reason families choose to take root here and stay as contributing members to our local economy and community. Our upcoming School Bond Measure 9-108 is our opportunity to strengthen Sisters schools and our community.

First, the burden of the district's credit obligations has contributed to the lack of funds for operational costs such as teacher salaries. The bond would pay off the $1.27 million debt to free up funds for the classroom.

Secondly, safety and security is lacking at all of our facilities. Parents need to be able to drop off their precious little ones and feel confident that the schools can be locked down to keep them protected, should the unspeakable happen.

Third, the bond would cover repairing the roof at SHS to achieve its expected life rather than replacing it, AND other deferred maintenance and site improvements as well.

Lastly, is funding our athletic facilities to make them safe, accessible, ADA compliant, and well ... no longer condemned (the track)! Our economy benefits tremendously when our schools are able to host athletic events.

I'm afraid if we don't pass this bond, Sisters will lose enrollment again to our competing neighboring districts who are investing more in public education. Not only do our schools lose funds when families move away, but so do our local businesses. Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Our children are our future.

Let's invest wisely in our community. Please vote yes!!!

Rebecca & Gabe Christian

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To the Editor:

I my lifetime I have watched various school districts design and build new facilities with the use of bonds to pay for them. Usually, in their short-sightedness, they conveniently disregard the increased cost of the upkeep of these new designs. Thus they allow them to fall into disrepair knowing that the public at sometime can be told there is an emergency that needs to be dealt with. Enter the new bond request for monies, which in fact should have been already part of a prudent budget process. It appears prudence be damned again.

Taking the lead from the federal government, borrowing more money always seems to be everyone's answer. Don't worry about it, we promise this is all we need, we hear again. Where are the details of a maintenance plan to keep the facilities in good repair. Those jobs were the first to go when the economy faltered the last time. Failing to do the everyday maintenance got the schools where they are. Let's demand accountability before giving them another penny in a blind bond issue.

Join me in voting no! NOT AGAIN UNTIL YOU GIVE US A REAL PLAN THAT IS SUSTAINABLE!

Greg Stohl

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To the Editor:

My family will be voting "yes" on the May Bond Measure 9-108 that will support our Sisters schools. There are many reasons this bond will benefit our elementary, middle and high schools.

One important focus that I am writing about today is regarding Reed Stadium.

Reed Stadium is located between Sisters Middle School and Sisters High School. It includes the Sisters Outlaw football field and the Sisters Outlaw track. It is in complete disrepair and desperately needs attention and upgrades. The bleachers are old and unsafe. There are no restrooms, only outhouses. The stadium is not compliant with ADA rules. People with disabilities are not able to access and enjoy activities there.

The track is unusable to the point that our high school and middle school track teams are not allowed to host track meets there. Not only does that take away from our famous "Outlaw Spirit," it also prevents the community at large from benefitting financially from events there. Weekend tournaments held there involving track and field meets, soccer matches, lacrosse games, football camps and other events bring welcome dollars to our community in the form of lodging, dining and shopping in our local merchants' stores. Families and teams love coming to Sisters for these types of events. But we are unable to offer these events due to the state of the stadium.

Let's invest in the children of Sisters and our school facilities. And in our community. Let's continue to show the rest of our state that Sisters' "Outlaw Spirit" is alive and well.

Lee and Eric Huffman

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To the Editor:

With the 47th annual observance of Earth Day just around the corner, this is a great time to explore more effective ways of slowing climate change and conserving Earth's natural resources for future generations.

A 2010 UN report charged animal agriculture with 19 percent of man-made greenhouse gases - more than all transport - and recommended a global shift to a vegan diet. A subsequent World Watch study placed that contribution closer to 50 percent. Meat and dairy production also dumps more water pollutants than all other human activities combined. It is the driving force in global deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction.

Last fall, England's prestigious Chatham House declared that reducing meat consumption is critical to achieving global climate goals. A report from Oxford University found that global adoption of a vegan diet would reduce greenhouse emissions by two thirds. The 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has recommended reduced meat consumption and an environmentally sustainable diet.

Just as we replace fossil fuels by wind, solar, and other sustainable-energy sources, we must replace animal-based foods with the more sustainable vegetables, fruits, and grains. Being mindful of this can help us make better choices at the supermarket.

Skyler Nash