Issue 40 is right choice

After the months, no, the years, of meetings and forums to discuss the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission's offer to help Wellington bring its schools into the 21st century, the time has come for voters to step up and make it happen.

The plan school officials have created in consultation with community members meets the state guidelines to receive the state's 46-percent share of funding of qualified expenses. The guidelines will bring the educational facilities in which our children are taught out of the 19th century and into the 21st century.

Residents who argue for renovation ignore the fact the buildings they seek to renovate can not possibly offer the educational opportunities of a new building. Rather than trying to conform a 21st century education to the spaces, we need to have up-to-date facilities to prepare our children for work in today's society.

Residents who say the plan for a K-12 building should be scaled back to save on the local share ignore the fact the state will pay only 46 percent of qualified expenses. A smaller total cost will mean a smaller state contribution.

Yes, the economy is bad right now, and asking for an additional 8.98 mills is difficult for the schools. We are sure the school board would prefer to wait to ask for the levy until the economy has rebounded -- as it surely will.

But the state offer for more than $19 million is good for a limited time. Failing to approve the levy now would jeopardize any possibility of getting any money from the state, while costs increase.

The state offer includes money to make the new building energy efficient, saving the schools on energy costs for the life of the building. Lower costs for heating and cooling the building means more funds to pay for books and supplies for our students.

The schools will also realize some economies of scale from having to maintain only one building, rather than three. For example, only one kitchen is necessary for a single cafeteria, rather than three of each.

Some residents will argue non-qualifying expenses, such as an auditorium and a stadium, add to the local expense. The OSFC will pay for a "cafetorium," but not a separate auditorium.

While the OSFC guidelines are intended to offer students educational opportunities to pass state-mandated testing, these additional expenses are intended to offer our students a well-rounded education. A combination cafeteria/auditorium will have much different acoustics than a dedicated auditorium, robbing audiences of the full impact of an orchestra concert or a production of "Oklahoma!"

We ask voters to consider carefully before casting a vote on Issue 40.

If you think the schools buildings are in disrepair and crumbling in some cases, vote for Issue 40 now. If you want our children to have 21st century education opportunities, vote for Issue 40 now. If you are interested in the schools saving money on energy and keeping costs low, vote for Issue 40 now.