Letters to the editor - 2

Many of the citizens of Alvin have written letters to the editors of the local newspapers favoring the Alvin ISD Bond and encouraging everyone to vote in favor of this bond. We'll be publishing a few of them here, in case you missed them.

September 25, 2013

Dear Editor,

 Alvin ISD has a bond election coming up on November 5, 2013, with early voting starting on October 21. I hope you will join me in voting YES for this important bond issue. Many have asked “what if we do nothing?”  Based upon the current growth in student enrollment and the projections of more students coming, Alvin ISD will gain more that 3200 new students before new and/or additional facilities would be available if this bond issue is not passed this year. Each year that it is delayed, Alvin ISD is projected to add another 800 students (that is equivalent to an elementary school a year).  If the bond issue does not pass, prolonged use of temporary buildings will be necessary and their  use can be as much as $35,000 per unit. Building permanent classroom space keeps the district from spending money for the same space multiple times. Also if it does not pass, adjusting student attendance zones will become necessary as schools exceed their capacity, which requires additional bussing of students. Many campuses are already over capacity and more campuses will become overcrowded if the bond issue is not passed this year. Security concerns that can only be addressed with extensive facility and equipment improvements are best provided with bond funds, so not passing this bond issue limits what the district can do in terms of providing needed safety projects. A successful bond issue this year is the fastest way to address safety concerns which are priorities. Consider too, that if this bond issue does not pass, teachers will have limited resources to incorporate technology into instruction as they prepare our students for this digital society.  Providing additional facilities for Career and Technical (vocational) Education is critical and if the bond issue does not pass, course offerings and the district’s ability to offer industry skills and certification programs will be limited. With the resurgence of the construction industry and the potential increase in interest rates, facility costs will be impacted if the bond issue is not passed. It’s also very possible that class size and teacher-student ratios could be impacted if it does not pass. There are even more issues that are a stake if this bond issue does not pass, but I think you get the picture. This bond issue is critical to this community, to our school district, to our kids and to their future. Please join me in voting YES on November 5 (or at an early voting location beginning October 21). It’s what’s best for kids and what’s best for our community. 

David Becker