There is no doubt that buildings have to be updated and to do it will require the passage of a referendum with a resulting increase in the tax levy and higher property taxes. The big question is how much do we need to spend to bring the buildings up to date?
We question the cost estimates the school board has received and strongly urge the board to solicit another estimate on how much it would cost to bring the school buildings up to date. No one should proceed with a program that is based on one cost estimate. We should question how much we need to update. The cost estimates should be based on what we need and not on a utopian education plant that only rich school districts can afford. Our district does not expect any growth in student population so expansion is not necessary.
Every building needs to be maintained and upgraded as they age. 50% of the houses and buildings in the Fieldcrest school district are older than the Fieldcrest High School. These buildings are periodically updated and repaired. Most people cannot afford to just tear down and rebuild whenever their house needs to be updated. Why should it be any different for a school building? Perhaps the difference is the money used to build a new school comes from the taxpayers, not from any one person who owns the building.
The Fieldcrest Board of Education indicated they want public feedback on this issue. Your opinions will influence their decision. Therefore, we urge everyone who is concerned about the school building issue to attend the community meetings this Wednesday and Thursday and voice your opinion on where you want your schools and do you want to rebuild or repair.