In 2001, voters living in the Dowagiac school district were asked to invest in the future of their children and their community by helping pave the way for the construction of a new $23.7 million middle school facility — an investment the community ultimately agreed was worth making.

Nearly 15 years later, the fruit of that pivotal decision can be found sitting near the end of Riverside Drive, in a building that not only serves as the hub of education for the Dowagiac area’s sixth-eighth grade students, but as a meeting place for Dowagiac Union Schools leadership and a destination for the community as a whole.

Next week, district voters face yet another milestone decision, one that will determine the fate of future high school and elementary students and student athletes in Dowagiac.

Voters will hit the ballot boxes Tuesday to decide the fate of a pair of bond proposals that are intended to raise $37 million worth of renovations and improvements for Dowagiac Union High School, Patrick Hamilton, Sister Lakes, Justus Gage and Kincheloe Elementary schools, and Chris Taylor Alumni Field. The upgrades will focus on a few key areas, such as increasing safety and security of students, improving the technology used in classrooms, the construction of new heating and cooling systems in each building, increased ADA compliance and more.

The first of the two proposals, a 2.5 millage assessment, is intended to raise money to completely renovate Union High School and to pay for partial work on the four elementary buildings and the football field. The second, a 1 mill assessment, finishes the construction work for the elementary schools and football field, and also pays for the construction of a new competition gym at the high school.

Despite the added burden they will have on district taxpayers, we feel that we owe it to our children — and ourselves — to vote “yes,” to both bond proposals. And we encourage our readers to do the same.

We know this is not an easy decision to make. Taxpayers are still shouldering the debt from the middle school bond 14 years ago, though the district’s recent refinancing has helped take a little bit of the sting out of that burden.

Many will also recall the last attempt the district made to improve its facilities — the construction of a high school facility — went down in smoke when presented to voters in 2012.

However, the district has kept the memory of that failed campaign in mind for this go around, seeking taxpayers’ input throughout the creation of the two bonds.

With the condition of these 50-60 year-old buildings continuing to degenerate, we as a community can no longer wait to act. Additions such as secure entrance vestibules, air conditioning and ADA compliant facilities aren’t just things that would be nice to have down the road — they are basic, no nonsense elements that any modern school facility should provide to their students and staff.

The Dowagiac Union Schools District has developed a lot of momentum over the last few years, receiving recognition for the academic accomplishments of its students in the classroom and for the school spirit on display on its athletic fields and courts. It’s time that our inner pride in our district is reflected in the appearance and condition of the buildings that are part and parcel to our children’s education.

Let’s carry that positivity forward into the polls Tuesday, and continue to show our neighbors that we were, are, and will continue to be, Dowagiac United.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.