Letters 10/22: Vote for the children, not against them

Many people are divided on the Little Miami school levy. It appears the people who are voting against the levy are doing so either because they do not agree with how schools are funded, disagree with the school administration and/or are experiencing difficult times due to the economy. I am for the levy and believe even those against the levy still value education. I urge people to put aside the politics and the disagreement in regards to this levy and think about who is impacted by your vote — the children.

The majority of children in the school district cannot vote, but I believe if you asked them if they want to have the same opportunities as children in other school districts that would say yes. The elementary students would say they want gym, music and art. The intermediate students would say they want computer, library and band opportunities. The high school students would say they want advanced placement classes, extracurricular activities, sports and other electives. The children of our school district want what only passing of the levy can provide.

The politics and administration issues can continue to be debated, but don’t make the children suffer while the adults try to come to an agreement. I understand the economy is bad right now and if you truly can’t afford $20 more a month, then vote against the levy. Remember though, the children are the future and if they are not educated at the highest level of excellence, the economy may be even worse when the children of today become the leaders of tomorrow.

Please vote for the school levy. Vote for the children, not against them.

Patti Wuennemann

Morrow

Bad business to not support schools

As a proud resident of Morrow, I try to spend my money at local businesses. I support my community in every way I can. I also support Little Miami Schools and have noticed several businesses in Morrow are outspokenly working against the upcoming school levy. Choosing sides in the levy debate seems like bad business because you alienate a large segment of your customers. I will never patronize a business that does not support my community and I will tell everyone I know not to patronize that business. The levy will be resolved in November but your customers may never return. There are no shortages of barbers, canoe liveries, lumber yards and real estate agents for me to choose from. If you support our schools, please notice where you spend your money.

Andrew McCauley

Morrow

Superintendent asks for support of WCCC

As superintendent of Kings Local School District and a resident of Warren County, I encourage Warren County residents to vote YES for the Warren County Career Center 10-year, 1-mill levy for permanent improvements. Now, more than ever, the services provided by the WCCC are vital to the future of our communities and our country.

The WCCC offers a very important service to the Kings community. There are 76 students attending programs at the Career Center’s main campus and approximately 500 students enrolled in the satellite programs at Kings High School. Additionally, the Career Center offers much-needed adult classes right here in our community at our Kings Education Center.

Enrollment at the Career Center has grown over the last few years as more and more workers need to be retrained and as students realize they may need to be prepared to directly enter the workplace after high school graduation. The proposed 1-mill levy will allow WCCC to make crucial improvements to the existing building, including energy-saving lighting, geothermal heating and air conditioning, improved air quality and redesigned lab and classroom space. Additionally, the levy will provide funds for equipment and technology used for instruction for keeping up with current industrial standards that are being used in today’s workplace.

The Warren County Career Center is a valuable partner for the Kings School District, the Kings community, and the entire county and deserves our support on November 3.

Valerie M. Browning, Ph.D.

Superintendent, Kings Local Schools

Our kids need this levy to pass

The “Vote No” billboard against the most recent Little Miami Levy proposal really saddened me. I understand the economy piece. My husband was laid off last January. I also get the timing viewpoint — when is it a good time to pay taxes? The statement that hurt was the one inferring that support for a solid education was a bad idea. Art and music have already been cut. Many advanced-level classes, including the Biology “Rivers” project and CAD, also are gone. Gifted programs have been cut. I paid more than $800 for two kids to play sports this fall. If this levy fails, sports may be history. College preparatory classes will continue to be reduced (AP classes will likely be gone). Some courses already have more than 30 students per class. Little Miami currently operates at the lowest financial level in the region (more than 30 percent less compared to most area schools). Our district treasurer won an award as a result of Little Miami’s strong fiscal responsibility.

So, if one is against the levy, what else could possibly be cut? Because budgets are tight, is it fair to deny our children and grandchildren once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to play on a school sports team, go to a good college, or learn about the artistic masters Renoir and Monet?