Arlee bond issues deserve approval

Editor,

Arlee School District is nearing the end of a long, involved process of assessing the building needs of the school campus. However, we are only at the end of the assessment, and we are now moving to the future of the educational needs of the students. There has been a lot of information spoken and printed about what's old and going bad, and what it will take to make it all fresh and good again.

Several dedicated community members have worked hard and have volunteered countless hours in studying the facility and preparing the school and the community so that there is an understanding of the needs and the process to bring about the change. And now we have the chance to look to the future.

In any small community in Montana, the public school is more than just a school. It is the center of the community's activities. It is also the place that many visitors see and remember about the community. A lasting impression is created in the minds of all who attend functions and events at the school, an impression of the community. An evaluation of the people in the community is also formulated by the impression created by the school facilities.

Voters are being asked to support two mil levy requests. Because Arlee School District is a joint district, comprised of an elementary district and a high school district, two requests have to be made. The elementary levy request is to pay for the beginning of a new elementary school and to pay a portion of the gym, multi-purpose and lunchroom building. The high school levy request is to pay for the larger portion of the gym, multi-purpose and lunchroom building. Both levy requests have to pass in order to accomplish what's needed.

There have been some questions about the priority of building a gym. Most of the questions stem from the fact that most people are in the gym only for athletic events and aren't aware of the daylong teaching and learning activities that take place there. Once people are made aware of this, they are much more understanding of the need.If the requests are successful, then Arlee Schools will be working even more to the education of the whole student.

When students are in an environment that is comfortable and that they enjoy, they will work harder at achievement, both scholastic and athletic. And they will be able to do it in a safe environment. The proposals for the new buildings incorporate construction and engineering designs that will help the buildings withstand earthquakes, be energy efficient and become more accessible to handicapped individuals.

I urge you to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and to support the levy requests for Arlee Schools.

Gregg Willoughby, Arlee