Great debate for our future

To the editor: The “Great Debate” continues in the town of Sparta. Do we need a new high school, is the present high school unsuitable for the technology our students need in later life, is the school overcrowded, do we really need to have our taxes increased? The answer to these questions is a resounding YES. The voters in Sparta would be doing our students and their children a great disservice by not approving the proposed referendum. Every person who has taken the tour through the school is shocked by the inadequacies of the facility. What they do not see is the behind-the- scenes story of the high school. As a former teacher, one who retired in June of 06, one who taught at the school in various capacities since 1980, I am fully aware of the problems and am able to speak about the terrible conditions that exist for both students and teachers. Did you know that the history classrooms are incapable of receiving a TV signal, that if a major event occurs we are unable to follow what is happening? Do you know that some students and teachers eat lunch at 9:40 because of space constraints? Are you aware that there is not a computer room in the high school for academic classes to use for both research and enrichment? Most distressing to me is the erosion of space in the media center. A few years ago half of the equipment room was turned into the computer network headquarters. Last year the periodical storage room became a classroom and this year the computer lab was turned into a classroom. The media center is now a shell of its former self, and as a result fewer classes have access to the resources. And, yes, there is a myriad number of problems with the physical plant. The art, music and physical education departments bear the brunt of this lack of space. The administration must provide classrooms for required math, science, English and history courses; therefore, electives, suffer. We are maxed out. There is no more space, and because of this, our course offerings are extremely limited. Because of space restrictions Sparta High School requires only 120 credits to graduate. Other schools in our district require up to 140 credits. Our students must be able to compete for entrance into college and the work place. Those of you who are long-time residents of the town will remember all of the failed referendums. How short- sighted of the townspeople. It is time to put aside differences and vote ‘yes’ for the reconstruction of the school. Do not blame the school board or the administration for past mistakes. Right the wrongs and vote ‘yes’. Doreen Skok Sparta