Community activities would be curtailed if the levy fails

Dear editor:

The issue of the school levy is largely about student programs, sports and activities, and teachers' work days, salaries and jobs.

However, those are not the only issues of impact that will affect our community.

There are many civic organizations, as well as city programs, that will be affected if this levy fails, including the Mountain Home Arts Council.

If the levy fails, the Arts Council will not be able to use the generous, in-kind use of the facilities that School District 193 has given our organization every year. The schools will be closed down after regular class hours in order to save on costs such as personnel, heat and energy, and will not be available for our public performances unless the Arts Council can pay for those costs.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, we depend on the generosity of local venues, as our budget is tight. I have planned three performances for next season that need the stage, lighting and seating that are only available at Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium: For November, a fun performance by Tim Behrens (the McManus Plays) who, in the past, has drawn an audience of up to 500; for early April 2011 the beautiful group, Red Chamber (www.mei-han.com/redchamber), and later in that month the ever popular Missoula Children's' Theatre, a week-long residency for students grades K-12 who are invited to audition for the play and, upon success, spend a week rehearsing with two professional actors/directors that accumulates into two public performances. This simply could not be held anywhere else in Mountain Home and will no doubt have to be canceled.

Please support the school district, its students and teachers, and your community by voting yes on the levy.

Sally Cruser

Executive Director

Mountain Home Arts Council