OAK RIDGE SEEKS TO INVEST IN STUDENTS

OAK RIDGE, Mo. -- "Our Children: Our Future -- Expanding for Excellence" is the theme adopted by supporters of the Oak Ridge School District bond proposal that will be on the April 3 ballot. This theme is an excellent example of the support that has been shown in the Oak Ridge district over the past 130 years.

A journey in time will show evidence of many dreams, themes and realities. What began as a dream for those late-1800 visionaries was a public high school in rural Southeast Missouri. Education held a promise that they wanted to grasp, pursue and develop in order to make the Oak Ridge area's young people ready for the developing 20th century.

In order to do this, the citizens voted a tax of $600, plus they raised another $2,000 by subscription. With this money, they built the first high school structure that opened in November 1874.

Once into the 20th century, it became apparent that Plato's statement, "The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life," was true. Changes were needed in order to have a larger, more modern school in the Oak Ridge district. So in 1924 voters approved a two-story brick building.

When disaster fell with the burning of this building, the patrons of the district rose to the need and voted to build a new building. This building was dedicated in September 1932.

Since reorganization in 1953, the community has many times found itself faced with the need of additional classroom space due to increasing enrollment. Each time, the voters have overwhelmingly supported the building of new facilities as shown by the following:

1954: A new classroom-gymnasium building became a reality.

1959: An elementary building was completed.

1974: A new music room and industrial arts addition was completed.

1985: A new cafeteria plus social studies and math rooms became a part of the physical plant.

1996: A new high school building was opened due to the passage of a $710,000 bond issue.

1999: An early learning center was completed with many hours of labor contributed by the community.

Now into the 21st century, the Oak Ridge district finds as enrollment has continued to grow at an average of 5 percent each year for the last five years, it is faced once again with the need for additional space both in land and buildings.

The April 3 bond election would allow for the purchase of 30 acres of land that would be used for expansion now, including additional parking, and for future expansions. Also included would be a middle school that would allow students in grades six to eight to be housed apart from the high school and would open up areas now occupied by these grades to be used by the elementary school. The multipurpose building would house a larger band room and additional classrooms as well as a regulation-size basketball-volleyball court with a center divider that would allow for two practice courts. This $1.95 million bond issue would cost taxpayers an additional 30 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation for nine years.

I see this as an investment for the future where taxpayers can be sure they will ensure that "Our Children: Our Future" becomes a reality.

Jo Ann Hahs is the chair of the Oak Ridge School District bond issue committee.