From David and Stacy Cavanaugh

Monroe

To the Editor: 

When we moved to Monroe almost four years ago, we were impressed with the community support for our schools. Investment in our public schools helps to retain talented teachers and students and increases the attractiveness of a community to professionals considering where to purchase a home. On November 8, our community has an important decision to make. We are asking you to Vote Yes for Monroe Schools.

The condition of our high school is troubling. The water issues, sinkage, and outdated electrical systems are problematic. The school needs to run barn fans and dehumidifiers constantly just to stay ahead of the water and mold issues, which gives our students the message that they are not a priority for our community.  Further, the small classroom spaces and outdated technical education areas in the high school are not conducive to learning in the 21st century. Whatever field or trade, collaboration is key to our students’ success in the future in a complex world. The current classrooms at the high school were created for a different era of learning. No longer are students merely sitting in rows while a teacher imparts knowledge, but they are working collaboratively to put their learning into context. We have a phenomenal faculty in all of our schools, but if we continually offer make-shift solutions to our physical plant, it will be difficult to retain and attract talented faculty. In addition, public schools need to be accessible for all students.  Currently, our phys ed facilities and bleachers are not ADA compliant.

As property owners, we want the community to be good stewards of our tax dollars. As we have attended listening sessions and school board meetings and heard from the facilities planning committee, we are aware that this decision came with a great deal of research, outreach, and forethought. Making needed upgrades in the physical plant of the high school is a short term fix that would end up costing more in the long run. As the Mill Rate is historically low, the time is right to invest in our youth by updating Abraham Lincoln and building a new high school. We owe it to our children to invest in their future. Join us in voting Yes on November 8th.