Letter to the Editor: It’s Time to Invest in Toledo — Vote ‘Yes’ on School Bond

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Voters of Toledo will be asked again to vote on a bond measure this November. This time it is different, much different. This bond will cost taxpayers about half of previous bond measures and Toledo will get a brand-new high school, not just a remodeled one.

Previous bond measures likely failed not because our community does not support the children, but because they couldn’t afford it. Our local legislators, Richard DeBolt, Ed Orcutt and John Braun, all took notice and found a way to help. They supported the state providing Toledo a $10 million grant in addition to the $8 million in state matching funds.

This type of assistance is unprecedented; only a few other districts in the state’s history have ever been offered this type of grant.

Receiving the grant is a one-time offer and is dependent on the voters of Toledo supporting only a $7 million bond. The state will pay for 72 percent of the cost of a new high school. This bond will cost voters 99 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property, less than $200 per year for a $200,000 home.

The children of our community are our most important asset. The education they receive will help determine the success they achieve. They are integral to the success of our community and our country.

I am a graduate of Toledo and am proud of the education and community support I received in Toledo. The foundational education and support I received allowed me to earn a doctorate degree in pharmacy. However, even 20 years ago, our science labs and technology were dated and left me struggling to catch up in college.

Today, our science labs are woefully inadequate, and the structural limitations of the building restrict developing STEM and STEAM programs that are essential in today’s science programs. Simply put, the physical limits of our high school put our kids at a huge disadvantage compared to neighboring districts that have developed robust STEM and STEAM programs.

What type of foundational education do you want your future nurse, doctor or engineer to receive, and do you want them to graduate from Toledo?



The science labs are not the only element of the school that are woefully inadequate in today’s environment. The structural integrity of the building is suspect for any type of earthquake event. The building does not have any type of security vestibule, which is important in protecting our kids in today’s world.

The roof leaks, the HVAC has outlived its life cycle and is limping along, the electrical system does not meet today’s technology demands, and parts of the plumbing are broken. The building has served Toledo well for over 40 years, but now it is time to replace it.

It’s time to invest in the future of our community. Taking advantage of the state grant will cost residents less than any other option and provide Toledo with a school that can serve our community for another 40 or more years. Let’s build a new school. Yes costs less!

 

Brad Dykstra

Toledo