Editor,

Some say that the Montezuma School District will not survive. I believe that school names like B-G-M-M, L-S-M, NM-SP (North Mahaska-South Poweshiek) should not be in our future.

Some say there is no connection between a school's physical environment and academic success. I believe the research is conclusive: school facilities have a measurable impact on the achievement of our children.

http://www.cisforegon.org/current/documents/Policy%20Brief%20(8.5x11).pdf

”From kindergarten through high school, the environment in which our students learn affects their performance and, ultimately, their future.”

Some say that the amount to be borrowed seems to be a lot for a short period of air-conditioning. I agree, but 2/3 of the term HVAC is for heating and ventilating and an Iowa winter is a long time to be without heat when a 50 year-old boiler fails or to deal with uncontrollable high temperatures when it is on.

Some say that certain facility repairs should be included in the operating budget. I agree, but since this hasn't been the case in the past, we need to address urgent needs now.

Some say that if this vote fails the money to complete the repairs will be found somewhere else in the budget. While this may be true, I believe the area that will then be unfunded may be needed for the long term success of the school.

Some may say, don't invest in the future when the forecast is for falling enrollment. I may agree if this was an expansion project, but I believe that the enrollment of between 546 and 564 over the next five years are higher than the current enrollment

http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=11167&Itemid=1563

Some say Montezuma is too small to restore deteriorating school facilities. I believe that extra-curricular activities are related to academic success. National champion FFA program, successful Speech and Drama, and a championship Shooting Teams that don’t even exist at some schools are a measurement of success that is possible regardless of size and success of athletics and music.

Some say it is very difficult to remove a coach whose attitude is detrimental to the team. I agree. Just ask Jesup how hard it is to remove a coach that is not effective. (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2011-05-11-iowa-supreme-court-coach-fired_N.htm)

Some may believe that low test scores are a reason for not improving school facilities. I believe since we do expect higher test scores, that maintaining school facilities is essential.

I also believe that test scores showed be viewed with multi-year trending. Especially since in 2010, Montezuma High School 11th Grade Students were 87.5% proficient in Reading on average compared to a State Average of 78.9%. http://www.homefacts.com/schools/Iowa/Poweshiek-County/Montezuma/Montezuma-High-School.html

Some say that out-districting of 31 students is due to them not feeling accepted. I agree that this should be examined and addressed. But I believe students that have never attended Montezuma should be a footnote to this statistic.

Some say this is a major tax increase. I agree that 12% may appear to be large as a percentage based on the proposed tax rate. But, I believe we need to play catch-up due to the results of a tax rate that has been too low in the past. (I also believe that the new rate is still less than the BGM, Grinnell-Newburg, Lynnville-Sully, North Mahaska, English Valley rate.)

I also believe that the cost of less than a cup of coffee (an additional 52 cents per day, based on $200,000 assessed value) is an affordable increase to a family’s budget.

Some say the community success is connected to offering good schools. I agree. Good schools attract good employees. A good employee pool attracts good businesses. A good business environment attracts good employees who are parents that want good schools. It is a good cycle. The opposite cycle is a death knell. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/general/about_montezuma.aspx

Some may say I have the facts wrong. While that is possible, it is a voter’s responsibility to sift through the rhetoric and focus on the facts. Call the superintendent (641-623-5121), contact a school board member, or visit the school.

Some say that the Montezuma Independent Community School District will not survive. If that is you, then go ahead and kill it by voting no. But, if you do vote no, be prepared to live with the result.

If you support the vote, talk to your friends and neighbors so they know and take the time to vote yes.

Sincerely,

Loren Elliott