It is indeed rare that the two of us — me as a Democrat and my co-author of this letter, Jack Strayer, as a Republican — would join forces to vote together. However, we both care about education — I am a trustee at Lake Michigan College and Jack is a trustee with the Niles Education Foundation — so Bond 2015 has earned our support and these two local measures deserve your votes as well.

On Tuesday, May 5, 2015, the voters in the Niles Community School District will be casting extremely important votes for the future of our students and our schools.

“Bond 2015” includes local Proposal I and Proposal II and Judy and I are urging everyone to vote “YES” and “YES” on both measures.

Exactly 70 years ago, World War II ended and the United States prepared for the Great Baby Boom by investing in our communities, especially our public school system. In the years immediately following 1945, Niles built Niles High School, Westside, Northside, Southside, Oak Manor and Cedar Lane schools. Ring Lardner and Ballard followed in 1965. Investing in Niles schools was a responsibility that everyone took seriously, regardless of age or income.

And once again, we must assume our responsibilities and show our children that the Niles community stands ready to help them learn and become productive and successful citizens.

Bond 2015 Proposal I includes an estimated 2.89 mill increase and Proposal II calls for an estimated 1.0 mill increase. These increases are necessary because they include improvements to our existing classrooms affecting safety and security, energy efficiency, technology upgrades and building and site upgrades.

For most voters, the average millage increase will be less than $15 per month.

Our children’s safety comes first and Proposal I and Proposal II will provide the funds to make our facilities safer for students and faculty. These security measures will be made regardless of the outcome of the local proposals, but the Niles Community Schools cannot afford to make these necessary security expenditures without taking away from other critical programs our students need to stay academically competitive.

For example, our boiler systems are ancient and pose dangers to our facilities unless we replace and update them. Many of our school buildings cannot meet local codes for accessibility and energy efficiency and pose a continued financial loss to Niles Community Schools.

Like most public school systems in the Midwest, our student population is declining and we need to supplement the money we are losing at the state level. Your “YES!” “YES! votes on Bond 2015 Proposal I and Proposal II will strengthen our schools, enhance the future education of Niles’ students, and will help maintain the positive momentum our school system is experiencing.

Our students, the faculty and the administration of Niles Community Schools are all fighting hard to improve the quality of local education. Judy and I are asking you to stand with us and other members of the community to make sure the battle is won on May 5.

 

Judy Truesdell

Niles