Bond opponent surprised when schools seek input

Dear editor:

I was recently stunned and flattered to be invited, by the folks who planned the recent school bond proposal, to a wind-up meeting.

I wasn't sure of what my reception there would be. But they were gracious and were quite willing to know why I had voted "No." They also invited me to make suggestions on how to get a future bond passed.

We shared thoughts on where to cut back, on building costs and gyms, and my heart went out to the coaches who were there. I still have questions about competition gyms and wrestling mats, although I have a better idea about the needs of gym classes themselves in a four-year high school.

The time frame for the next proposal may be a year or so from now, although it could be two years. We discussed how the public could be really more involved before the next proposal, to see how the plans might be cut down.

In just a few minutes Wednesday evening we found a way to trim $150,000... not a lot, but more is possible, always possible. Very hard choices must be made to lower the cost of the next bond to $25 million or as close to that as possible, especially as building costs will certainly rise in the meantime. A breakdown of costs and comparisons with this recent plan proposal would be welcome next time.

Also, procedural transparency on the part of the district would be key to success next time around.

My view is that no matter how really wonderful the recent high school plans were -- and I, for one, truly love the plans -- we just can't always have what we want, and choices possibly made only for their prestige value are unsuitable.

Also, overall community needs must be taken into consideration, as well as the Mountain Home schools' needs. Students and their schools are of vital importance to the community, but their situation is not the one and only area of vital community importance.

Most of all, I think, there needs to be a re-connect between the public and the school district, with everyone declaring a truce with everyone else. Give each other time to wind down.

I want to thank the committee for their sincere, gracious, and polite interest in what this one citizen thinks about things.

Billie Jean Harter