Wednesday, September 8, 2010

OPINION: Jim Smothers, Sr. Encourages Voters to Do What is Right for Our Children

Do what is right for our children


Sept. 7, 2010

An Open Letter to the voters of the Montezuma Community School District:
I am encouraging the people of Montezuma to vote 'Yes' for the school bond issue for the following reasons:

First, everyone who has received a public education has received it because a previous generation of people financially provided it. I believe that we have a responsibility to make the proposed improvements for the future of the children of Montezuma.

Second, some will say that enrollment is declining, and we will have to consolidate with another school district. Enrollment ebbs and flows and enrollments have basically stayed the same for the past 52 years. In fact, my graduating class had the enrollment of 41 in 1957. Students do move away and come back to raise their children in the Montezuma Community School that is not latent with drugs, gangs or saturated with sex among the students.

Third, some would say that the the eleven million (dollars) is excessive. Agreed, it is a lot of money. Please consider going to the Montezuma Schools Web Page (www.montezuma.k12.ia.us) and do the property tax calculations; you would be surprised that the cost per hundred thousand is much less than the figures that have been floating around the community. Also, consider what it will cost in taxes if we go to another community for education. Those schools that we consolidate with will no doubt have to be improved to handle the influx of students.

I realize that people don't like to pay taxes, and many are trying to reduce household expenses, but sometimes you have to do what is right for the children of this community and make the investment for their educational future.

Again, I am encouraging you to vote 'Yes' for the school bond issue on Sept. 14, 2010.

James L. Smothers, Senior
1824 470th Avenue
Montezuma, Iowa

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