Referendum Small Price For Children’s Education
Dear Editor,
In the May 5th referendum, we have a chance to help Warsaw continue to develop the youth in the area and to impact the community in the present and for the future. We have the chance to enhance the lives of everyone that lives here. Passing the referendum would greatly increase our ability to meet this goal.
The current conditions at Lincoln Elementary School are limiting the ways in which their students can learn in today’s world. There is a lack of technology because the current building cannot sustain too many computers plugged in at one time. Instead of having the freedom to educate the students with the internet, not every classroom can have access to computers at all times.
Despite this challenge, in 2014 the Lincoln staff led their students to the highest overall pass percentage on the ISTEP in Warsaw with an 84.8 percent pass-rate. Lincoln has also been named an ‘A’ school by the Indiana Department of Education. The staff at Lincoln is excelling despite the challenges that they face. Think of how they could lead students with up-to-date facilities.
Students in the Orthopedic Capitol of the World should never have to worry about having unsafe schools. Lincoln has art and music specials in portable trailers as there is no room within the building. This causes students to leave the safety of the facility at least twice a week. Lincoln also provides education services for Lincoln’s EL population in these portables. These opportunities, while supervised by adults, provide safety concerns for their students. When employers such as DePuy, Zimmer or Biomet are recruiting world-class talent, our schools have the opportunity to distinguish our community from the others.
I encourage voters to vote “yes” on the May 5, ballot in support of the referendum. But, if inclined to vote “no”, I hope they will consider how small an investment this is compared to the ongoing maintenance costs for a deteriorating facility that eventually will need replacing.
This referendum is a small price to pay for our children’s education.
Ryan Burgher
