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Vote yes for the benefit of our children
Tawana Johnson
Contributor
Published April 26, 2009
We need to put our attention and resources toward the most important things in North Lamar Independent School District and one of them is our children’s education. Beginning with the 2007 freshman class (current sophomores,) students statewide will be required to complete four years of both math and science in order to graduate.
The conservatively proposed $4.68 million North Lamar ISD bond is needed to relieve pressure on already full and overflowing science and technology labs and to improve existing facilities. We need to vote yes to provide adequate space, proper equipment and appropriate facilities. This will give our students and teachers confidence knowing that we take North Lamar students’ education seriously.
The best indicator of our care and concern would be our overwhelming public support to ensure our children have the best possible education we can provide. There is nothing in our community more important than our children! Join the growing list of NLISD Bond Election supporters. Vote yes for NLISD bond proposal beginning Monday in early voting or on May 9. Vote Yes for Proposition 1 and Proposition 2! Proposition 1 is for four science labs necessary for meeting state education requirements and six computer labs necessary for keeping up with the ever-expanding use of technology and electronic testing requirements. Proposition 2 is for repair and maintenance items listed below.
This bond proposal combines good stewardship and transparent need with an eye to the future and is expected to meet all facility requirements for foreseeable future needs. The money, by state law, cannot and will not be used for anything except for that which is specified in the bond.
Valuable science experiments are best with hands-on participation by all students. Currently, some science teachers do not have their own classroom and are using a cart for supplies and teaching materials. Teachers are demonstrating experiments instead of students being hands-on due to insufficient lab space. The new mandates put even more pressure on an already overloaded science program. Put simply, new mandates passed requiring four years of math and science demand immediate action with a yes vote for Proposition 1 to provide necessary lab facilities.
Proposition 2 provides our community with the opportunity to improve and repair existing facilities. The carpet in Higgins and Everett elementary schools has never been replaced. Think about the abuse elementary school carpet takes! The carpet is showing its wear and it sorely needs to be replaced. New kitchen equipment is needed at all campuses. Regulations are being passed requiring the elimination of fried foods and the inclusion of more baked and fresh foods. Removal of current equipment and installation of appropriate equipment is necessary for compliance. Replacing worn out air conditioners is not a luxury in the Texas heat. It’s a necessity! The high school parking lot has never been resurfaced and is beginning to show wear and tear. Finally, routine roof repairs are necessary at Stone Middle School in order to properly maintain the building.
In May 2010, NLISD will retire the current bond debt for building North Lamar High School. At that time, the payment on the proposed bond will begin for a seven year period. Because the proposed bond has a tax decrease from the current high school bond and because the current bond will pay off before the proposed bond would begin, taxpayers actually will see a decrease on their tax bill while passing the proposed bond. Because of very responsible and conservative financial management in NLISD, we have achieved rare status among school districts. We can provide all the things our district needs to better educate our children, meet state requirements and lower tax rates!
Early voting dates are April 27 - May 1 and May 4-5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For early voting, go to the North Lamar ISD Administration Office at 3201 Lewis Lane. Election Day is May 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Precinct No. 1 is at Everett Elementary School and voting in Precinct No. 2 is at Powderly Volunteer Fire Department, 100 County Road 44112.
For more bond facts and information, go to www.northlamar.net and click on Bond Election Information. We need to approve both bond propositions by voting Yes for North Lamar Kids!
Tawana Johnson is a Lamar County resident and member of the Vote Yes for North Lamar Kids! Political Action Committee.
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