Community voices on the JCPS ballot issues

The News Tribune inbox has been overflowing with community members' voicing their opinions about the Jefferson City Public Schools April 4 ballot issues, Propositions J and C.

Proposition J will ask voters if they want to approve a 65-cent tax levy increase to fund a $130 million bond issue to build a second high school and renovate the existing one to make it an equitable facility in terms of square footage, design and safety. Proposition J requires a 57 percent approval vote in order to pass.

Proposition C will ask voters if they want to approve a 45-cent operating levy - 25 cents to cover the operating costs of a second high school and 20 cents to cover needs within the existing school system. Proposition C requires a simple majority vote in order to pass.

Below, we've gathered every letter to the editor we've received over the past months regarding the ballot issues and two-high school proposal. Click the links to read the letters.

Ignoring East School needs a disservice to community, by Rod Chapel, April 3: "Rather than address the overcrowding in East School, the School Board has elected, in opposition to public comment from large segments of this community, to ignore this elementary school in its long-range planning."

Supporting educational excellence, by Mollie Freebairn, April 3: "It is absolutely vital for the community to support Propositions J & C on the April 4 ballot! By all rights passage should not be killed due to the economic hardships across the state."

High school plan overkill, by Dennis Morrissey, April 3: "It is a waste of funds to make the existing high school larger and build the new facility the same size just so they can be equal size. Many of these bond funds could be used to address other needs."

3 reasons to vote no, by Paul VanHorn, April 3: "We must spend taxpayer money wisely where we get the best return on our investment."

Schools proposal - trust but verify, by Mel Kallal, April 2: "I was shocked that voters in 2013 were unwilling to support a proposal to fund additional educational facilities. What? A Midwest state capitol with voters who did not support education?"

Look beyond personal concerns and vote yes, by Frank Rycyk, April 2: "No plan is perfect. If we change a plan to address the concerns of one person, the next person will point out an imperfection."

Older people, people on fixed incomes cannot afford this.

'No' on school bond issue, by Paul Robert, April 2: "Older people, people on fixed incomes cannot afford this."

Change boundaries to reduce overcrowding, by Bert Dirschell, April 1: "Changing district boundaries, and transferring student to districts whose enrollment is/has declined seems like a win/win situation."

Vote 'no' until district gets on track, by Steve Smart, March 31: "Great buildings are neither necessary nor sufficient to have a robust education platform that fully supports and engages students and teachers and the community."

The #1 and #22, by Darren Heckman, March 31: "One. This is Jefferson City High School's state ranking based on the total number of kids enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Twenty-two. This is the current state ranking for the Jefferson City Public School District for total enrollment grades K-12."

Support kids, community with Prop. J & C, by Bob Roling, March 31: "I'm not overly excited about paying additional taxes. Yet, I realize a two-high-school system is in the best interest of every child."

Hospital leaders support two high schools, by Gaspare Calvaruso, Capital Region Medical Center president, and Brent VanConia, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital president, March 30: "Our hospitals are vital to the health and wellness of our community. We are constantly seeking talented health care professionals."

Supporting J & C, by Erika Leonard, March 30: "We can commit to our future by building a second high school and investing the resources needed to renovate the current high school or we can choose to ignore the need once again and refuse to build solutions to a growing issue."

 J & C: Addressing needs of community, by Beverly Price, March 30: "Financially, it makes sense to begin the building projects as soon as possible. Interest rates and building costs will only rise if we try to 'kick this can down the road' again."

Revisit school boundaries, by Karen Howser, March 30: "With the new proposal, the students will never be back with their elementary friends."

Advantages for children inspire J & C support, by Melissa Hensley, March 29: "The positive impacts of reduced crowding and additional teachers are evident when we compare districts with those problems to districts without."

It is time to quit kicking the proverbial can farther down the road and work to support our students and teachers.

Yes on J & C, by Karen Brickey, March 29: "It is time to quit kicking the proverbial can farther down the road and work to support our students and teachers."

Don't understand proposition opposition, by Barbara Barnard, March 29: "If you are reading this letter, then you have received an education of some kind. ... It's now time to pay it forward yourself."

Supporting schools' proposition, by Kay Foster, March 29: "The community will reap what it sows! It is time to sow, as a win on these propositions is a win for our community, as we invest in the most precious assets we all have - our kids!"

We need another high school. I'll be voting no on this proposed monument.

No on school proposal, by Steven Brown, March 29: "We need another high school. I'll be voting no on this proposed monument."

Our kids deserve better, by Debra M. Kaiser, March 29: "There's been enough talk. It is now time to vote 'yes' on Propositions J and C."

Support school tax proposals, by Terry Lyskowski, March 28: "While there are questions and concerns about details of the proposals, we need to move forward and do some thing to address the problem of overcrowding in the high school."

No on JCPS bond proposals, by Thomas Ault, March 28: "Wouldn't it be nice if common sense would prevail and the excess money, rather being spent on things unneeded, was placed in a special fund? A few years of that kind of conscientious caretaking would probably pay for much of why those same corporations or governmental agencies need and ask for."

Yes on school bond issue, by Nathan Hays, March 26: "When you go to the polls on April 4, I want you to think to yourself: Does Jefferson City need a second high school?"

Our district is behind in space, educational materials and the ability to support our children like they should be supported.

Yes on J & C, by Marsha Presley, March 26: "Our district is behind in space, educational materials and the ability to support our children like they should be supported."

Vote 'yes' on school bond issue, Emily Vallandingham, March 25: "I am fortunate to work with a great group of dedicated, innovative, and creative teachers at Simonsen Ninth Grade Center."

Time to give back to school system, Glenna Honich, March 25: "I will be voting 'yes' on Proposition J and Proposition C on April 4."

Cheating our community, by Hallie H. Gibbs, March 23: "Our community is not growing due to the overcrowding in our high school. ... Shame on us for cheating our students, for cheating our community."

Yes on J, Yes on C, by Roy A. Michael, March 23: "This vote is vital for our community and its future."

The only problem I have with another tax, is that it is another tax!

Taxes, again?, by Thomas Ault, March 22: "The only problem I have with another tax, is that it is another tax!"

No on school bond, tax levy, by Richard Wells, March 17: "The district needs to show me the blueprints and the details that prove that their plans include equal high schools!"

Schools' operating levy increase not needed yet, by Dennis Garber, March 16: "Can we use a little logic in addressing the JCPS ballot issues?"

JCPS has lack of insight on why bond issues might fail, by Laurel Kramer, March 16: "It has been well documented since the last bond failed the voters are very worried about how the JCPS district uses our tax dollars."

In support of 2 high schools, by Matt and Jennifer Krause, March 8: "We believe two public high schools would be a tremendous asset to the community and will help Jefferson City continue to thrive."

How can we trust a district, one that could did not successfully implement high school academies, with this amount of money to build and remodel two entire high schools?

JCPS on bond levy questions, by Sarah Briggs, March 5: "How can we trust a district, one that could did not successfully implement high school academies, with this amount of money to build and remodel two entire high schools?"

Embrace improvement. Encourage competition. Support two high schools.

Education stagnation, by Bill Plank, Feb. 16: "Embrace improvement. Encourage competition. Support two high schools."

An equitable solution - split JCPS, by Melody Lawson, Jan. 22: "A far better, equitable, and long overdue proposal is to divide JCPS into two new, wholly separate, districts: two separate boards, two separate bond issues, two separate taxes, two separate high schools."

Proposed school levy numbers questioned, by Bert Dirschell, Jan. 10: "If voters approve the 65 cent levy to build a 2nd high school and reject the 55 cent levy, which includes money needed to operate the new school, it would seem that the new school should not be built, since there would be no money to operate the new school."

East School overcrowding, by Sara Amick, Jan. 10: "A new elementary is imperative. These children cannot wait until high school to have their academic and space needs met."

It is time to provide the elementary students in the East School district with the same opportunities as all students.

Put East School proposal on April ballot, by Dave and Cathy Bordner, Jan. 8: "As a community, we need to provide all students in our schools with the best learning environment possible. It is time to provide the elementary students in the East School district with the same opportunities as all students."

East School has waited too long, by Sharon Naught, Jan. 8: "The can has been kicked down the road too many times and the time and need is here."

Boundary changes to reduce JCPS overcrowding, by Bert Dirschell, Jan. 8: "Hopefully someone has at least investigated the possibility of boundary changes, as a no cost to taxpayers way of reducing JCPS overcrowding.

Fix elementary schools first, by Paul Van Horn, Jan. 6: "Building a new East Elementary School and Callaway Hills Addition first, followed later by a second high school, will give JCPS the needed tools to solve many early learning needs at a reasonable cost taxpayers will approve."

Keep the promises that have been made and show our students, teachers and community that we have credibility and value education at every level.

Include east side school in proposal, by Deb Brown, Jan. 1: "Keep the promises that have been made and show our students, teachers and community that we have credibility and value education at every level above all else."

East School ignored in new proposal, by Cheryl Broyles, Jan. 1: "Are we willing to sacrifice the proper education and motivation of our elementary school children? Especially those who attend East School?

Editor's note: Please continue sending your letters to the editor on the school issue to [email protected], whether you support or oppose it. To ensure your letter is printed before the April 4 election, please make sure we have it by Thursday, March 30. In addition to your name and address, be sure to include your phone number for verification purposes only.