Dear Editor,
My hat goes off to Vic Feuerstein and his editorial of February 15, 2019. The details were right on about the proposed bond for the Shepherd Schools. This is the first time I have heard, in detail, what it is like to be a tax payer in Shepherd. He is spot on about the majority of people that live here, are on fixed income or low income. You work your whole life to be able to live in your own home and then the taxes eat you up! With the new taxing review going to every two years, it is blatantly obvious that the taxes are going up without the new bonds. We don’t have to give every amenity that huge school districts can afford to give. Let’s get back to educating, at a higher level I might add, and less to cosmetics. I’m all for fixing problems with common sense approach. All the children that have come though Shepherd made it without all this fan fair. Thank you, Vic.
LaVonne Martin
Shepherd
I just recently read LaVonne Martin’s letter. LaVonne, you are right. Kids have made it through Shepherd without these changes, but now we are in need of these changes. We are at 110% capacity and without these changes, Shepherd has no room to grow. Trying to learn in a library/computer room that smells is distracting. I can’t even imagine learning on the hallway floor, as the elementary is doing currently. I can go on and on about these problems, such as no space in the lunchrooms or classrooms, the unsafe exits/entrances, the leaking ceiling tiles, carting food over for lunch and breakfast (no matter the weather), and so much more. I’m a sophmore at Shepherd and have attended Shepherd since kindergarten. I have been in many activities throughout my years here. I can lay out all the problems that need to be fixed. I have voiced this through social media and I will gladly voice it in person. In your post, it said that this is the first time you are hearing in detail, so don’t be swayed by this one article. Look at it from all points of view. I would love to show you first hand. This bond needs to go through for the many issues at hand, and to better our learning and ability to grow. Students are the future. We are the future teachers, lawyers, nurses, surgeons, military, or whatever we chose to be. We could be your future nurse, lawyer, or we could be fighting for your freedom. Doesn’t our education matter? Passing this bond, shows every kid at Shepherd that you care about the education they are getting. This isn’t for cosmetics, this is for educating the future and keeping students, like myself, safe. I will personally walk you trhough the school I grew up in. Sit down with Mr. Carter and talk through everything. Come to the community meeting on March 20 @ 6:30 in the multipurpose room and listen to the architects. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and I respect that, but I also have a right to mine. I have been through this school for all my education up to this point, and I will graduate from here. There needs to be changes. I and the students coming after me, need a better school for a better opportunity to grow and learn. This isn’t all about the money. This is about childern’s future. Our future can one day effect yours. Our education is in your hands, don’t make the wrong decision for me and the future kids. Again, I personally invite you to come to the school so I can show you around. Meet with Mr. Carter, he would happily answer any questions you may have. Come to the next community meeting. Visit the website http://www.weareshepherd.org for more information. Please, do one or all of these before you decide your vote.
Thank you
Abigail Downing