“Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.” -Walter Elias Disney
Public education is a human right and a social responsibility for us all. We’d like to think most of our great Bowling Green community, whether in support of or against the upcoming bond issue, agrees with this principle. Yet we are stuck with differing viewpoints defining what a truly successful and sustainable community and/or neighborhood school looks like today. We’re also stuck with differing viewpoints of how to position our community for the long term; to stand out as a community and succeed well into the future.
While refurbishing or rebuilding current “neighborhood” schools may appear to be the more desirable, this option seems to be the least financially responsible and sustainable plan. It does not move us forward to adapt and meet the needs of today’s children, teachers and our public school system. Needs that include dependable building conditions, shared school resources and equal access to those resources for all students, as well as key technological upgrades and enhancements. As cited before in a letter to the editor, “the idea of neighborhood schools was lost long ago.” This idealistic approach to keeping neighborhood schools, while nostalgic and heartwarming, feels out of touch with the needs and immense opportunities this bond issue can deliver.
That is why we feel passionately that, as a community, we must move forward with this investment. We all have to think differently and adapt to a changing environment. Complacency on this issue will only limit the possibilities of what we can do in Bowling Green, Ohio with the minds of our children and with our local economy. One Community, One School allows full leveraging of much needed resources, diversified student enrollment and better long-term financial responsibility.
Regardless of how you feel on this important issue, we urge you to truly research for yourselves and understand what is realistic, feasible and honest in this election. And please get out and vote… remember early voting started October 8th!
With much love for BGCS and in support of #OneCommunityOneSchool,
Eric & Megan Jicha
Bowling Green
