A letter from my Dad. Yes for kids! Please post to wherever, my Dad has given permission to post wherever necessary so we can pass this important bond. Please vote yes on 24-369 My point of this letter follows later – historical perspective comes first. My mother, Edith Kaser, was clerk in the Evergreen District that was formed shortly after the Civil War. She gave the original book of board minutes to the Oregon Historical society, and I had a chance to read it prior to that donation. The original building (Evergreen) was small, east and a bit south of the present location and it cost about $100. The minutes indicate that about ten individuals donated construction money. That building became inadequate and around 1900, a new school was built on the current property. Again, this building became inadequate, remodeling if discussed was not an option, and the current structure was built in 1948. As a student, I helped move books, chairs, etc. into the new building. It was larger, and was sited on land that had been the softball field and playground. More outdoor space was needed. My grandfather owned farm ground adjacent to the school site, and he deeded one acre to the school district for the sum of one dollar – the purpose being to increase playground area. My Grand Dad gave up farm income on that land for the rest of his life to make Evergreen a better school. I served on the Silverton Elementary School Board prior to unification. In 1984 this board proposed a bond issue to replace Eugene Field school because of building inadequacies. A new building would be located on the property currently occupied by the skate park and senior center. The bond amount was 3.6 million and it failed by about 200 votes with 2200 cast. Exposed sub floor, carpenter ants, leaky roof and electrical outlets were some of the structural items listed in a Silverton Appeal article at the time. Thirty years later, Eugene Field is still inadequate. I am not writing to convince people about dollars, but about sense. Eugene Field is a poor facility, a worn out facility and is located in an undesirable spot. The Silver Falls board made a correct decision to close this building and to relocate affected K-8 students. Current cost is certainly a factor, but the overriding concern must be the long term function and use of school facilities. A remodel of Eugene Field is not prudent in spite of the “good deal” dollar amounts presented by opponents (SOS Save old Schools) of the Silver Falls bond. The SOS numbers are so low that I find them unbelievable. There is a time when aged, inadequate facilities must be replaced rather than attempting a “fix”, period! As my Grand Dad demonstrated seventy years ago, I also will give up something else in order to pay the additional $200 dollars or so of property tax annually, likely for the rest of my life. Kids of the future, including my two year old grandson Max, must NOT be taught in a building that is neither fixable nor adequate. Please join me in supporting the Silver Falls bond. Sincerely, Raymond Kaser, Ph. D., Sun Valley Ct. Silverton, Oregon
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:47:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015