School bond affects everyone, vote

On Tuesday the school district will ask voters to approve a $37 million bond to complete Phase II of turning the junior high into a high school.

It's an issue that affects everyone and everyone should voice their opinion by voting.

It doesn't matter if you have children in the school system or not, this issue still affects you. Are you OK with the school district reaching into your pocket and pulling out money?

If so, vote yes. If you disagree, tell the school board no with your vote.

However, there are many reasons to vote yes for the bond.

$37 million does sound like a lot, and it is a lot, but don't think of it as spending $37 million on a building.

It's a $37 million investment in the children of Mountain Home. It's an investment in the lives of future doctors, lawyers, teachers, mechanic, music teachers, welders and everything else kids grow up wanting to be.

The investment comes with a high price tag, but remember, you get what you pay for.

Performing arts often take a back seat to athletics and other activities.

The bond will level the playing field for band, choir and drama students. It will tell them playing their trumpet, singing their songs and acting on stage is encouraged. It will tell them it's OK to follow their dreams and give them the platform to stand on while chasing those dreams.

The bond will allow more students to participate in professional technical programs.

Students are enrolled in professional technical programs on a first come, first serve bases. Many students are turned away due to limited space. A student shouldn't be denied an education because they are number 26 in line and not number 25.

Student athletes travel to every high school in the valley, they know their facilities are not on the same level as their competition.

They also know it's hard to get to bed at a decent time when they get out of practice at 8:30 p.m. every night and have dinner, homework and chores waiting for them at home.

The bond will give them facilities on par with their competition and ensure they spend their nights at home and not on the practice court.

The bond will give the high school the ability to host district meets. Not only will the town benefit from the number of people large tournaments bring in, but there's something special about winning a district title on your home court or ending your career in the same gym it started.

Mountain Home students should have that opportunity.

The bond isn't an investment in just the children of Mountain Home. It's also an investment in the community of Mountain Home.

Parks and Rec will use the new gym for its games and the Art Council and others will use the auditorium for ballets and other performances.

School district officials understand the public is paying for the proposed amenities to the school. They understand their facilities our buildings and as such, they will be made available to the public when possible.

Not everyone will agree on every aspect of the bond completely. However, the junior high needs to be turned into a high school at some point. It's going to happen someday.

The only difference between it happening today and it happening tomorrow is $37 million won't go as far the next time the district seeks a bond.