I’m writing this letter in support of Niles Community School’s two bond proposals, which will come to a vote on May 5.

As a lifelong resident of Niles, I was fortunate enough to be offered a job with the school system after college. I had a wonderful 41-year career with the children of our district serving as a teacher and an administrator.

During my tenure, I saw minimal changes in our facilities, other than a few additions. Our maintenance crews need to be commended for maintaining very old buildings on a bare-bones budget.

We have come to the point now where many projects are of a critical nature. Because of the times in which we live, safety and security has become a major issue. Our buildings were not built with these issues in mind. Our mechanical systems are antiquated and need to be addressed. Our buildings are not energy efficient. Technology is now an integral part of education, and our buildings are not equipped to handle the infrastructure necessary to meet today’s technology needs.

Over the years, we have patched many of the problems. However, the money needed to do this has been taken out of the general fund, which should be used for curriculum and teaching necessities for the classrooms.

I had the opportunity to visit many schools in our area, and it saddened me that our children have not had the advantages that we see in neighboring districts. Our classrooms need to be updated and brought into the 21st Century.

Our students have continued to be successful despite the lack of updated materials and facilities. This is in part due to the excellent staff that is dedicated to our children.

Niles has not passed a bond issue in 24 years. We have the lowest millage rate out of the 20 surrounding districts in our area. Soon you will be asked to make a decision that will impact the future of the children in our community for years to come.

Please give this decision your serious consideration.

I encourage you to join me in voting, “Yes! Yes!” on May 5.

 

Barb Garrard

Niles