Another View - Millage increase would be a great investment

Why a new high school building? Why now? After all, the current high school works well enough and has for 52 years.

Studies about student academic achievement and building condition conclude that the quality of the physical environment significantly affects student achievement. "There is sufficient research to state without equivocation that the building in which students spend a good deal of their time learning does in fact influence how well they learn," according to G.I. Earthman (2004) quoted by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

This is my third year teaching at the high school. Returning to the public school classroom in Eureka Springs after 20 years was a bit of a shock.

My previous job required that I travel from school to school in northwest Arkansas. The attractive, technologically ready, well insulated, spacious and well-lighted classrooms I experienced in those various locations were not what I encountered upon arriving at Eureka Springs High.

I was further shocked to find out that the floors were made of asbestos. Floor tiles would come loose, many were, and still are, cracked or broken. I worry about the possibility of added risks for cancer, although I have been assured they are "sealed."

The two electrical outlets in my room are not grounded and often require the use of extension cords. This is far less safe than properly grounded and well-spaced electrical outlets would be.

My windows look out over a public street and a very active rental property. At times the music from cars across the street makes it impossible to carry on class, as our single-pane windows rattle away. I have to cover the windows with paper to limit the amount of light as I use audio-visual equipment. I also have them covered to keep students from being distracted by the constant stream of activity going on across the street.

One of the first things I requested was an inside handle for my classroom door so I could close and lock the door in case of an emergency lock down. My door still opens directly to the outside and lacks a window to see who might be about to enter. Anyone can walk into my room at any time. Since this is also the only exit, it must remain unlocked. There is nothing "safe" about this.

Air quality, temperature, lighting, noise level, asbestos free, flexible, safe and secure are factors that have been studied and shown to be solid contributors to student learning.

More than 50 years ago, citizens invested in a modern facility to meet the needs of those students. Today those needs have changed. Infrastructure demands are different, needs for safety and security have increased. Fifty years later our students need a school that provides a physical learning environment that facilitates learning, rather than one where we must overcome our surroundings.

We've gotten a great return on the investment of 50 years ago. The small increase in the tax base will give a great return on investment. Please vote for the new high school.