Teacher's counterpoint to 'no'

To the Editor,

I have worked in the Neelyville School District for 18 years and previously graduated from the district. As I was driving to work this week I couldn't help but notice the "Vote No - Keep Hillview for the Kids" signs and thought, "That's false advertisement." Voting No is not keeping Hillview for the kids; it's a vote for the parents' sentimentality and convenience. Some parents do not wish to see Hillview closed because they attended Hillview and it's "sentimental".

I have fond memories of learning to type on a typewriter in my high school business class, but that's not what I want for our students today - it's not feasible. I'm sentimental about the first car I owned, but after a period of time, it was falling apart and I had to move on to a newer one. It's the same with Hillview. The classrooms are too small, many are in need of major repair, and students are subject to the weather anytime they leave their classroom. Five classrooms have to leave their buildings to go to a "safe" area in the case of severe storms because their buildings are simply metal that could be destroyed easily.

The reasons I have heard for voting NO include the following:

1. Hillview is closer to my home - this reason isn't for the kids - it's convenience and the "argument" is only good for three years because then grades 3-12 are at the Neelyville campus.

2. Closing Hillview will decrease my property values - once again not for the kids, and will it really? I can't imagine people buying property in that area just because there's a K-2 campus (an old one at that) in the area. I think property will be just as desirable whether or not the elementary school is there.

3. If we were going to build at Hillview, I'd vote for it. How's that reason "for the kids" - that's just about location. If the school is providing a better learning environment for the kids what difference does it make if it's seven miles one way or the other? If building at Hillview was a possibility that would be great, but it's not. The district cannot get the funds it would take to build at Hillview because it is only allowed to ask for so much money as a tax increase and building at Hillview (due to the disrepair of the buildings, the needed additions and the lagoon issue) would greatly exceed that limit - so that's not a possibility.

4. Neelyville has sewer problems. Really? We've never closed school once because of the sewer. City officials have assured administration and residents that should the bond pass and we build at the Neelyville campus, sewer would not be an issue.

5. Neelyville floods. Yes, water gets in the building that houses the curriculum director's office and the high school principal's office. Those two buildings are the oldest ones on campus - one was actually the original cafeteria and they are both lower than the surrounding buildings. With the proposed project, one building will be removed and the other will not house students - correcting the problem. Our gym also got water in it one time, but that was the year of the major flooding, and we've corrected the drainage so that won't happen again. However, it can come a hard rain and a couple of the classrooms at Hillview have water standing in front of them, and students must trudge through it to get to their other classes or lunch - meaning the bottom half of their pants are wet the rest of the day. How is that for the kids?

6. The bus ride will be longer for the kids. I don't think the kids will notice an additional 5-10 minutes, and really the time "on the bus" will not be any longer because grades 3-12 spend that much time sitting on the bus at Hillview waiting for the other bus to arrive so they can travel on to Neelyville.

7. Those voting YES are just doing it for the convenience of the "traveling" teachers. Yes, it would be more convenient for them - I am one of them. But in addition to being more convenient, the time spent traveling to both campuses could be time spent with the kids in a learning environment instead of on the highway so it's not just for the teachers.

But that's not why I agree with a yes vote. I believe that a YES vote is FOR THE KIDS. It would mean:

A safer environment will be provided. Whether it's severe weather or a possible intruder - being on one campus with ALL the buildings connected (and all being brick) will be better FOR THE KIDS. No, Neelyville has not had a tornado hit or a serious encounter with an intruder, but it takes just once and why wait for it to happen before correcting the problem - by then it might be too late for someone's child.

A safer bus loading procedure can be implemented. Instead of loading busses on the street at Neelyville or in the parking lot at Hillview where parents are also trying to pick up students, bus loading can be moved to the rear of the buildings making safer pick up for ALL students.

The financial savings of operating cost and by having buildings that are more energy efficient can be used to provide other resources to the students.

Resources will be more available for ALL students. With all the federal and state budget cuts, Neelyville doesn't have unlimited resources. If students are all on one campus, resources such as mobile computer labs, library books, and hands on manipulatives are localized and can better accessed and more easily shared.

These are just a few of the benefits FOR THE KIDS. So when you go to vote, be honest and ask yourself, are you really voting FOR THE KIDS or for yourself? Our district hasn't passed a tax levy in years, and it's time we step up and improve our schools for the children. This proposal will not only benefit one group of students but all students in grades K-12. If our students aren't worth the best environment or best education possible, then why are we here?

Pat Truelove

Neelyville R-IV Teacher