By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Opinions on the bond proposal are not just coming from homeowners and parents.
Students for a New High School, or NHS, is a group from Niles High who have formed to give their support to the issue. Many of the students expressed a concern for the future of the schools beyond the proposed five years it would take to complete the project.
Students for NHS originated through discussions among four of the members in their writing for publication class, senior Peter Brandstatter said. The class had been asked to research and write articles for the school paper concerning the proposal.
The proper education of future Niles students “hinges on the development of technology throughout all buildings,” he added. Brandstatter is the lone member of the group who is 18 years old and registered to vote.
Sophomore Whitney Spain added the completion of a new facility for Niles schools will create more opportunity for the community down the road.
McCall addressed the idea of performing repairs to the current high school instead of constructing a new one. She said that route is similar to pouring money into fixing an old car.
Junior Torii Mitchell said she believes the fear of a tax increase is causing a lot of people to oppose the bond.
Students for NHS is only a few days old, but the group is already advertising their support with T-shirts. Junior Mariette Strauss had around 30 navy blue shirts made with the slogan ‘yes on Feb. 28' printed in yellow.
Some members of the group said other students they have talked to about the proposal do not seem to be that concerned with the outcome. Many of them feel the decision will not affect them because they do not plan on staying in the Niles area after high school or college, McCall said.
Students for NHS said their support for the bond has partially stemmed from their families. Some of the members' parents are involved with a board advocating the proposal called Citizens for an Educational Legacy Committee and others also have younger siblings at home who may attend Niles schools in the future.