In case you haven’t been paying attention, the debate about a Toledo school bond is getting nasty.
It seems everywhere you turn — on social media, the opinion page of this newspaper and by now probably scrawled on bathroom walls — what should be a civil discourse and lively exchange has become more spiteful.
As with most political debates, information in social media and online comments about the bond often contain skewed or one-sided representations of the facts.
Peppered between legitimate arguments about financial responsibility versus the need to invest in Toledo’s future generations are increasingly harsh words and snide comments aimed by neighbors at neighbors.
To be clear, The Chronicle’s policy on letters to the editor is to remove egregious factual errors, encouragements of boycotts against businesses or libelous statements. Our readers have a right to their opinions, and The Chronicle can’t legislate whether a reader’s opinion is valid — even when it’s based on what another reader believes to be a flawed interpretation of the facts.
We at The Chronicle have had enough of the back and forth put downs, sniping and hurt feelings. After all, everyone wants the same thing — the best for our community and its children. We have to be the adults in this situation.
In the interest of setting the record straight, here are the facts: The Toledo School District has the opportunity to get a $10 million grant from the state capital budget and an additional $8 million in state School Construction Assistance Program funding, but only if voters in the district authorize with a 60 percent supermajority a $7 million bond.
All told, this would allocate $25 million to the district for a brand new high school to serve the community for decades to come.
Toledo High school was built in 1974 — making it 44 years old. It was built before many of its staff members and all of its students were born, to a set of then-modern but now grossly outdated standards. It would not withstand an earthquake. It can’t fully make use of the state-of-the-art fiber optics technology in Toledo.
Perhaps more importantly in the long run, the current infrastructure does not put Toledo students on an even playing field with their peers in Centralia or Chehalis.
In Centralia, voters recently approved a $74 million bond for two new elementary schools and a complete remodel of the high school. In Chehalis, they recently approved $34 million for two new schools.
Meanwhile, Toledo voters have rejected attempts for a school bond three times — a $14 million bond in February 2018, $12.9 million in November 2017 and a $12 million bond in February. A $23.5 million bond failed in 2014.
This opportunity for the Toledo School District is a once in a lifetime shot. It would put Toledo students in a position to compete at an equal level with their Twin Cities peers and would set Toledo up for the growth and development most residents want.
Don’t let the vitriol sway you or discourage you. Look at the facts and make the right decision.
