You pay everything for portables, state helps with construction

"The new school costs too much."

Really?

If the school construction bond fails, the local school board will be forced to house the students in portable units. You and I, as local taxpayers, will pay 100 percent of that cost through increased maintenance levies.

If the bond passes, state matching funds will be available to pay a significant portion of the cost, using state sales tax revenue that you and I already pay. You have the choice of paying more, personally, per square foot for portables, or less, personally, per square foot for the proposed new school building.

In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", George Bailey is given the opportunity to see Bedford Falls as it would have been had Mr. Potter prevailed.

We have the opportunity to continue making Royal [aka Bedford Falls] a great community by supporting public buildings that we can and should be proud of. Or, we can begin the descent to Pottersville which, by the way, may be a great name for a new school comprised of several portables that will not stand up to heavy use.

At this moment, what costs "too much"? Corn, wheat, hay, apples, milk, mint, etc. are at historically high prices.

School board members, past and present, have had to make tough decisions on how to adequately house students. They have done so admirably. Join me in supporting them in continuing to make Royal a safe, sound, and enduring place for kids.

Gary Piercy

Othello