LETTERS: THINK OF STUDENTS FIRST IN BOND VOTE

To the editor:

I am a retired Cape Girardeau schoolteacher. Having lived in Cape for 31 years and having taught here for 21 years, I felt I must write.

I had the opportunity to teach in several buildings during my years. My last eight years were spent at Schultz School.

I have always felt that the Schultz School teaching model of having all seventh graders together is a wonderful transition idea. I will be sorry to see this change.

However, the building itself is quite a different story.

The people of Cape who talk against the new school buildings should have worked there or at least have taken a look around. Every effort was made to keep the building in excellent shape, but the building is old, and it was crumbling even then. Twice in my eight years there the exterior walls on two sides of the building were jacked up to help level the building. Exterior and interior bricks often came loose. The building is old an unsafe for our students and teachers to be working in every day.

It is time for the building to be closed. We must move on.

The present Central High-Junior High School campus will allow the middle school-junior high concept to flourish. The new high school will give the district high visibility and the ability to grow.

Everything really good in our lives costs a little extra. As a single, retired teacher, I will find some way to extend myself so that I can pay the taxes this project requires. I won't be easy, but I'm quite sure it will be worth the effort, especially for all of the great students and teachers in our district.

Let us think first about the safety and well-being of our children.

JAN LOHR

Cape Girardeau