ShawneeDispatch.com

To the editor:

In the 10-plus years that we have lived in the De Soto School District, I have watched bond issues come and go. I have heard the arguments for and against and felt the divide between both sides widen, even as the margins of votes remained small. Before our oldest started kindergarten, I served on a district committee to define and clarify the mission for our schools. That mission can no longer be maintained. Now with all three of our children in school, I stand dismayed that anyone can truly see “no” as an option. With class sizes increasing, and building space decreasing, we as district patrons have said no to the mission of our district,

“…to inspire the creative genius in each person by:

“Leading in educational innovation and academic excellence;

“Building visionary, world-class educational opportunities;

“Fulfilling the evolving needs of citizens as life-long learners;

“Integrating the fabric and heritage of our diverse rapidly growing community;

“Respecting the importance of the individual while promoting the common good.”

With no building space, comes little innovation. With large class sizes comes a decrease in academic excellence. Visionary, world-class educational opportunities come with locations to hold such opportunities.

Please vote Yes for Unified School District No. 232 bond issue on Nov. 4.

Bond issue … $75 million,

Average Cost Per Household Per Week … $4

Inspiring the creative genius in our children … Priceless!

Elaine Gustafson

Shawnee