Bond is necessary to improve school facilities

We have heard people ask, “Why should I vote for the school bond issue? We vote for an M&O Levy. That should be enough to keep the school in good condition.”

Yes, an M&O Levy is routine maintenance. It is similar to your monthly household budget. You keep the lawn mowed and the house painted along with other day to day needs of your home. At some point, however, your house is 20 or 30 years old and things start to fall apart no matter how well you have maintained it over the years.

Your monthly budget probably doesn’t allow for the inevitable new roof, vinyl siding or weather resistant windows. That’s where the home improvement loan comes in. You borrow to make the needed updates because you know nothing ever gets less expensive and the longer you put it off, the worse the problem gets.

The school board is asking for a home improvement loan (bond issue) to pay for the items not covered by their monthly budget (the M&O levy). It is not a result of neglect but simply a matter of aging.

Another big question seems to be the proposed new gym. We don’t see it as a gym but rather as a multi-purpose room. The current gyms at the grade school and high school are used for just about everything from craft shows, quilt shows, Distinguished Young Women Program, town team basketball, train shows, Missoula Children’s Theatre, RHS Alumni banquet, and much, much more.

During the Undeberg Invitational, the Gilson Gym is used as a hotel housing several track teams. During the winter months, some folks get their daily walk in the gym. It isn’t just for the student athletes. It is for all the students and community members, young and old.

Vote yes the upcoming bond issue!!

Terry and Ann Olson, Ritzville