I make a difference
Letters to the editor Fall 09
Waverly NEWS
Published 8-20-09
Step up, vote yes for proposed project
The Raymond Central School Board has proposed a 9.9 million dollar bond issue to improve the junior/senior high School. The RC Facilities Task Force has performed admirably in scrutinizing each proposed addition and renovation. Each dollar has been considered for the value it yields. There is no waste in this project.
Please do not be taken in by the “we can do better” crowd. That is just a fancy way of saying “let’s do nothing.” It’s always easier to do nothing.
Doing nothing is not appropriate this time. This project has now been reviewed for years. The plan is solid and the need irrefutable. It is imperative that each of you learn the facts for yourself. Do not listen to those who will say anything to ensure that nothing gets done. Please attend a project meeting, talk to the Task Force, tour the school or contact the board of education. It is important that you do your homework.
This is likely to be the last chance to take advantage of the current construction slowdown.
Building costs remain lower than they have been in years. However, with the economy appearing to begin a turn around, there may not be another opportunity like this for decades.
It is time the majority of good citizens of this district step up to their responsibility to provide for the young people of our community. Please join those of us who believe in this community, in Raymond Central Junior/Senior High School and in the bright future of our children.
Bob McNally.
Raymond
Central Bond Issue 8-17-09
Proposed project too costly for district now
I wanted to encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming election. Several parts of the proposed plan are unacceptable to me and I will not be supporting it. 2 of the original 50 year old Barracks buildings will be remain in use with no upgrade to the heating and AC systems. These buildings have no insulation and have antiquated heating systems with window air units. These buildings should either be renovated and upgraded if they will remain in use, or replaced with energy efficient space. I do not think renovating and adding on to the existing barracks building used for the junior high wing is a wise use of tax dollars for the long term. I do not think the 4th gym is a necessity at this time. The cost of operating and maintaining the additional space will most likely mean something will have to be cut from current educational programs. The total cost is too much for the district at this time since we are still paying on the bonds for the elementary schools. Please look at this both sides of the issue before casting your vote. For more info please visit http://rcschool.ning.com/. Please vote, thank you
Eldon Mcfarling
Ceresco
Letters 8-27-09
Time to finally upgrade facilities
Editor:
It’s time to jump on board the Raymond Central band-wagon.
In a few days, you will have to opportunity to do something that has not been done in over 40 years. There has not been a major capital investment made in the Raymond Central High School since its inception back in 1967. It is important to realize that today’s students are functioning in the same basic facilities as some of their grandparents.
The proposed $9.9 million bond issue would go a long way in bringing our school up to date. Please ask yourself: are you still living in the same house as you were in 1967; are you earning your living at a business that hasn’t made a major investment since 1967; do you think the learning environment is unchanged since 1967?
Most of us would have answer NO to at least two of the questions. Times have changed. Our schools must change to stay effective and efficient.
While no one I know enjoys the prospect of increasing taxes, there is a time when investing in the future outweighs an increase in our mil levy. But please understand that the longer we wait the more likely we will lose out on opportunities. As Lincoln Public Schools expands northward, our school district will lose property that could significantly contribute to funding this bond issue. Please take the time to learn the facts.
Michael Isaacson
Valparaiso
Proposed bond issue represents more than facility improvements
Editor:
It is with hope and pride that I write this letter. It is my hope that the voting patrons of the Raymond Central School District can finally see that the $9.995 million dollar bond is a necessity. Our students need to have a safe learning environment, under one roof, where they can concentrate on their education without being scattered among several different buildings, distracted by their leaky lockers or the buckets sitting next to them on the floor. They need to not have to begin eating lunch at 10:30 a.m. and then stay late after school for their extra-curricular activities; they need to not have to hold multiple physical education classes at the same time in the same gym; they need to have ample space for music, band, Destination ImagiNation, speech and vocational programs; they need to have a safe place to practice wrestling and lift weights without fear of injury. The students of Raymond Central need to have this bond passed.
It is with pride that I will vote for this bond issue. I want to live in a community that I can be proud of, a community that is thriving and growing, that educates itsd students in the best way that it possibly can, because they are our future. If the schools are not kept at a decent standard, people will look elsewhere. If the schools go away, I believe it will only be a matter of time before our communities die off. Is that what we want? No one wants higher taxes, but I believe it is our responsibility as patrons of this district to provide a safe, progressive learning environment for our children. The time is right, the time is now. Let’s take care of our community, let’s take care of our students. Please support the Raymond Central bond proposal.
Dixie Potter
Valparaiso
Bond issue would add much needed space
Editor:
Patrons of the Raymond Central School District will have their chance to vote for improvements to the junior/senior high school. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters of the district next week. I ask all patrons of the school district to vote yes.
Our current facility has served us well, but some programs need more space. Our building needs to be modernized to incorporate new technologies. We have classrooms in portable buildings and the industrial technology classes must use an old garage. The electrical service is inadequate and needs to be upgraded. The kitchen is old and worn out and the cafeteria is small.
The bond issue would renovate and modernize the existing buildings. The existing buildings that would be renovated are structurally sound and with good maintenance, they could be used for many more years. The existing building will be brought up to fire codes and the electrical service will be upgraded. New classrooms to our main building would replace the use to two portables and two other smaller, older buildings. This would provide for a safer school by bringing our students into one secure building. Our Alternative Education program could then be moved to a permanent building with more space.
Our career and technical education programs would get new classrooms and larger shop space.
The bond issue would increase classroom space for music, speech and physical education. The new cafeteria/commons area and the multipurpose-tiered speech classroom could be used for performances, activities, practices and meetings. The wrestling teams would have a new, larger room to replace the hazardous practice facility presently used.
Remember, your ballots need to be returned to the Saunders County Election Office by Sept. 15. Please vote yes.
Becky Grimes
Raymond
Published 8-20-09
Step up, vote yes for proposed project
The Raymond Central School Board has proposed a 9.9 million dollar bond issue to improve the junior/senior high School. The RC Facilities Task Force has performed admirably in scrutinizing each proposed addition and renovation. Each dollar has been considered for the value it yields. There is no waste in this project.
Please do not be taken in by the “we can do better” crowd. That is just a fancy way of saying “let’s do nothing.” It’s always easier to do nothing.
Doing nothing is not appropriate this time. This project has now been reviewed for years. The plan is solid and the need irrefutable. It is imperative that each of you learn the facts for yourself. Do not listen to those who will say anything to ensure that nothing gets done. Please attend a project meeting, talk to the Task Force, tour the school or contact the board of education. It is important that you do your homework.
This is likely to be the last chance to take advantage of the current construction slowdown.
Building costs remain lower than they have been in years. However, with the economy appearing to begin a turn around, there may not be another opportunity like this for decades.
It is time the majority of good citizens of this district step up to their responsibility to provide for the young people of our community. Please join those of us who believe in this community, in Raymond Central Junior/Senior High School and in the bright future of our children.
Bob McNally.
Raymond
Central Bond Issue 8-17-09
Proposed project too costly for district now
I wanted to encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming election. Several parts of the proposed plan are unacceptable to me and I will not be supporting it. 2 of the original 50 year old Barracks buildings will be remain in use with no upgrade to the heating and AC systems. These buildings have no insulation and have antiquated heating systems with window air units. These buildings should either be renovated and upgraded if they will remain in use, or replaced with energy efficient space. I do not think renovating and adding on to the existing barracks building used for the junior high wing is a wise use of tax dollars for the long term. I do not think the 4th gym is a necessity at this time. The cost of operating and maintaining the additional space will most likely mean something will have to be cut from current educational programs. The total cost is too much for the district at this time since we are still paying on the bonds for the elementary schools. Please look at this both sides of the issue before casting your vote. For more info please visit http://rcschool.ning.com/. Please vote, thank you
Eldon Mcfarling
Ceresco
Letters 8-27-09
Time to finally upgrade facilities
Editor:
It’s time to jump on board the Raymond Central band-wagon.
In a few days, you will have to opportunity to do something that has not been done in over 40 years. There has not been a major capital investment made in the Raymond Central High School since its inception back in 1967. It is important to realize that today’s students are functioning in the same basic facilities as some of their grandparents.
The proposed $9.9 million bond issue would go a long way in bringing our school up to date. Please ask yourself: are you still living in the same house as you were in 1967; are you earning your living at a business that hasn’t made a major investment since 1967; do you think the learning environment is unchanged since 1967?
Most of us would have answer NO to at least two of the questions. Times have changed. Our schools must change to stay effective and efficient.
While no one I know enjoys the prospect of increasing taxes, there is a time when investing in the future outweighs an increase in our mil levy. But please understand that the longer we wait the more likely we will lose out on opportunities. As Lincoln Public Schools expands northward, our school district will lose property that could significantly contribute to funding this bond issue. Please take the time to learn the facts.
Michael Isaacson
Valparaiso
Proposed bond issue represents more than facility improvements
Editor:
It is with hope and pride that I write this letter. It is my hope that the voting patrons of the Raymond Central School District can finally see that the $9.995 million dollar bond is a necessity. Our students need to have a safe learning environment, under one roof, where they can concentrate on their education without being scattered among several different buildings, distracted by their leaky lockers or the buckets sitting next to them on the floor. They need to not have to begin eating lunch at 10:30 a.m. and then stay late after school for their extra-curricular activities; they need to not have to hold multiple physical education classes at the same time in the same gym; they need to have ample space for music, band, Destination ImagiNation, speech and vocational programs; they need to have a safe place to practice wrestling and lift weights without fear of injury. The students of Raymond Central need to have this bond passed.
It is with pride that I will vote for this bond issue. I want to live in a community that I can be proud of, a community that is thriving and growing, that educates itsd students in the best way that it possibly can, because they are our future. If the schools are not kept at a decent standard, people will look elsewhere. If the schools go away, I believe it will only be a matter of time before our communities die off. Is that what we want? No one wants higher taxes, but I believe it is our responsibility as patrons of this district to provide a safe, progressive learning environment for our children. The time is right, the time is now. Let’s take care of our community, let’s take care of our students. Please support the Raymond Central bond proposal.
Dixie Potter
Valparaiso
Bond issue would add much needed space
Editor:
Patrons of the Raymond Central School District will have their chance to vote for improvements to the junior/senior high school. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters of the district next week. I ask all patrons of the school district to vote yes.
Our current facility has served us well, but some programs need more space. Our building needs to be modernized to incorporate new technologies. We have classrooms in portable buildings and the industrial technology classes must use an old garage. The electrical service is inadequate and needs to be upgraded. The kitchen is old and worn out and the cafeteria is small.
The bond issue would renovate and modernize the existing buildings. The existing buildings that would be renovated are structurally sound and with good maintenance, they could be used for many more years. The existing building will be brought up to fire codes and the electrical service will be upgraded. New classrooms to our main building would replace the use to two portables and two other smaller, older buildings. This would provide for a safer school by bringing our students into one secure building. Our Alternative Education program could then be moved to a permanent building with more space.
Our career and technical education programs would get new classrooms and larger shop space.
The bond issue would increase classroom space for music, speech and physical education. The new cafeteria/commons area and the multipurpose-tiered speech classroom could be used for performances, activities, practices and meetings. The wrestling teams would have a new, larger room to replace the hazardous practice facility presently used.
Remember, your ballots need to be returned to the Saunders County Election Office by Sept. 15. Please vote yes.
Becky Grimes
Raymond
Views: 26
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Comment by Eldon McFarling on August 21, 2009 at 7:29am
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This is in response to Bob McNally's letter.
for the first paragraph: all the decisions are made from emotion vs using facts and common sense. Take the gym as a for instance. The research associates survey shows 2% thought a 4th gym was needed. 49% would support a bond issue without a gym. The plan still has the biggest deal breaker in it. I don't think that was scrutinized too well.
The "we can do better'" was my slogan. I believe our return on investment is much greater taking care of the energy waste by replacing with new energy efficient construction designed to be a school and not a BARRACKS. It doesn't say "do nothing", it simply says make a better choice for the future.
AH the last chance theme again. in 2007 I heard we would lose our school if we didn't pass the unrealistic proposal. March 2009 the brochure says "every year we wait we will have increased construction costs". PSF costs have dropped since march and the plan is 1M less. Looks like the scare tactics don't work.
I do believe in the future of our children and the future of our community, that is why I believe it is more important to make the right choice for the future vs a short term fix that has to be done over.
I do believe you are sincere in wanting to make some improvements and I respect that. We only disagree on what is the best plan to make our school efficient for the future.
I am not "anti" gym either, I just don't think it has enough benefit to offset the additional overhead. I think it becomes a luxury item that we just can't afford right now. If we get our energy use in line it would help alot.
I do hope we can come up with a realistic plan in the future that we all can support together.
Eldon McFarling
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RE: Michael Issaccson
"There has not been a major capital investment made in the Raymond Central High School since its inception back in 1967"
What about the HVAC system installed in 2004 at a cost of 1.2M plus interest? sounds pretty major to me. the system was not installed to meet the building code standards so now we need a bond issue to correct it. Add to that the system is old technology using fossil fuel instead of using the opportunity to upgrade to a modern HVAC system that would use less energy. Taxpayers are paying interest on obsolete technology and will add more borrowed money to correct problems. I can't say I agree with this approach.
Not trying to pick on you just pointing out there has been money spent that could have been invested better. Many patrons are frustrated by the irresponsible spending and do not trust the school board and administration with their tax dollars, and will not support more of the same wasteful spending.
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RE: Dixie Potter
good and valid points. I believe better management and utilization of what we currently have will help solve many problems. The only thing we disagree on is how we solve the problems.
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RE: Michael
Additional thoughts. There has been much invested over the past 20 years. I forgot about the link connecting the cafeteria around 1990, the bus barn, the classroom addition on the north side plus the mustang room in the mid 90's. AC in 98 and 99. recently a majority of the roof has been replaced, the football field got new $50K drains.
Your letter implies NOTHING has been done which is not correct at all.
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RE: Becky Grimes
I respectfully disagree on one major point.
"The existing buildings that would be renovated are structurally sound and with good maintenance, they could be used for many more years"
The structurally sound part is questionable on the BARRACKS building. The exterior walls are falling apart now. how will they look after another 20 years? the building was not built to be a school. The difference in levels will remain so handicapped and disabled access will be poor. the poles in the cafeteria and classrooms will remain. in order to connect the building to the high school a complicated link will be used creating additional problems. more stairs aggravate the access dilemma. A much better investment is to replace that portion so the building would gain additional insulation, efficiency and use-ability.
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