From James Cassidy

Monroe

To the Editor:

I am an educator in the Monroe school district, 13 years of which were at the high school. I am voting YES to the November referendum and here’s why. The high school and Abe Lincoln elementary have mold issues due to, but not limited to, inefficient and outdated HVAC systems and water infiltration issues. I had mold in my classroom on several occasions at the high school. This is unsafe and unacceptable. Our students, staff, and visitors deserve better. 

There are bathrooms that are both outdated and some that are non-ADA compliant. The boy’s locker room at the high school is non-ADA compliant and literally stinks. Our physical education teachers and students, athletes and coaches deserve better. 

There are sinking classroom floors at the high school due to issues with the foundation and water infiltration. Water and other materials seep through the floors, walls, and ceilings of various portions of the high school and Abe Lincoln after a heavy rainfall. This is both unsafe and unacceptable for our students, staff, and visitors. There are exterior doors at the high school that do not close properly due to the shifting foundations potentially leaving portions of the building unsecured. This is unacceptable, especially in a time when our country has seen a disturbing uptick in school violence. Our students, staff, and visitors deserve to feel safe at school. 

The high school has outdated Tech Ed, F.A.C.E., Ag and other classrooms that are not suited for 21st century career and college needs. Our students and community deserve better. 

I could go on. I urge you to attend the October 11 referendum presentation and take a tour of the facilities to see for yourself that now is the time to invest in our students and our community. Our students, staff, and community deserve safe, mold-free, and up to date schools. It is time we come together as a community to make this happen. 

I hope you join me in voting YES. Thank you.