Superintendent’s analysis of the Ritzville Schools bond

Upon making a decision that will impact the lives of many, it is critical to obtain information from a variety of sources.

Such is the case is the for the Ritzville School District bond, appearing in the Feb. 14 Special Election.

While last week’s installment of The Bronco Bulletin provided an analysis from the students about the impacts the bond, an analysis from another viewpoint could make an even more informed decision possible: that of the Superintendent.

Matthew Ellis, in his first year as Superintendent, stated, “Every kid deserves the best environment to learn.”

From a student’s standpoint, the current learning environment at Lind-Ritzville High School is neither the best, nor the safest.

In the fall of 2015, a study and survey of all district buildings deemed Ritzville Grade School in “fair” condition and Lind-Ritzville High School in “poor” condition.

More recently, last September an audit from the school’s insurance agency returned with a list of conditions “in need of immediate action” in order to “eliminate or minimize losses due to the identified hazard[s].”

Among the hazards the audit listed were insufficient locks on doors, ineffective communication systems between the school and the Ag shop, the slow-reaction crank style garage door in the office, and inadequate coverage on surveillance systems.

Ellis explained, “These actions have not been taken because of the cost associated with these improvements.”

The building for LRHS was constructed in 1953. The last renovation of the caliber proposed by the bond occurred in 1982. Since then, minor changes to the school have been made.

However, especially in context with pressing safety issues, Ellis explained that making small improvements without the help of the bond is analogous to putting Band-Aids on wounds: “We’re doing that pretty frequently, <and> it would be even more frequent if the bond doesn’t pass.”

Apart from complying with safety code, changing the infrastructure of the school would change the culture of the school.

During his experience at Royal High School and Pasco High School, bonds were passed that allowed Ellis to see how improvements affect the students. He reports a change in the energy level of the students to match the quality of the building they were in.

In the past 35 years since the last changes were made to LRHS, the energy level, learning, and instruction have been dynamic. The building has essentially remained the same.

“We live in a world where most people don’t have landlines,” Ellis said.

Considering how the world has changed and how instruction has changed, Ellis asked, why should the school stay the same?

“We’re not looking to do anything too crazy,” Ellis added. “We’re just simply renovating and trying to improve facilities.”

Further, investing money into infrastructure without the bond detracts money from strictly educational purposes.

Passing the bond would solve this problem: “Spending money to upgrade these systems now will eliminate the need to divert District funds that are otherwise slated for educational purposes for repairs and maintenance in the near future,” Ellis explained.

For all of the potential impacts the bond, Ellis said, “We have just super, super kids.”

He posed the questions, “Are we investing in them? Are we showing them that they’re valuable?”

Ultimately, informing the public about the impacts of the bond is only relevant if ballots are turned in by Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Ellis spoke to the voters, “I encourage you to get your ballot in and make your voice heard.”