The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor:
Last Thursday I attended the meeting to update the citizens of La Harpe on the status of the consolidation issue. I was disappointed in the number in attendance to hear about this important issue. I would encourage all of you to attend these meetings to hear what is being said and to voice concerns that you may have. I have attended several meetings and honestly have tried to keep an open mind as to what is being presented. However, the more that I hear, the more I have become convinced that this proposal of consolidation with three other schools, is not in the best interest of the community of La Harpe and our school system.
I will say that the original committee of five that was asked by the board of education to investigate putting the La Harpe and Northwestern school districts together are all excellent people and have worked hard on the subject of consolidation.
I disagree with the proposal that has evolved out of those original meetings for several reasons. Specifically, I wish that they had stayed with their original directive from the board of education to put just the two schools together. This could have been done with a modest tax increase with no buildings having to be built, remodeled , or closed. This would have also delayed the drastic measures that are being talked about now for another 7 to 10 years or maybe longer. Voting no on the upcoming question would put us back at this point and would be the right thing to do at this time.
You will be told by the committee of ten that putting four schools together is the only solution to the problem of declining enrollment and the lack of tax dollars for our schools. They say that we would have to raise our taxes in order to sustain the current status quo if we do not consolidate. I can't say that this is not partially true. It may be. I can say that we do not have to put four schools together to make the largest geographicdistrict in the state. We do not have to put together a high school of 500 students. Wedo not have to have a $7.9 million bond referendum to put an addition on a building inSciota.
Don't be persuaded to give up on our own very good school system so easily! Once again, I encourage you to attend the meetings. If you do voice an opinion in opposition be prepared to defend your stance as it will be challenged.
If you would like more information or have a question please call me, as I will try to answer your questions as accurately and as fairly as possible.
Charles Apt - La Harpe