I would like to encourage everyone to support our schools, our children and our teachers by voting YES for one consolidated elementary school.
I, like many here, grew up and went to Bowling Green City Schools. I went to South Main and although I was sad to see it close, I understood the need for modern updated schools. My classmates and I have many fond memories of South Main and I’m sure students of Ridge have the same. Neighborhoods were different then and kids would even walk home for lunch. Times have changed and those buildings were well past the time of usefulness. Just as the current elementary schools time has also past. Schools must keep up with technology and evolve with education.
The current buildings are not able to effective educate the current needs of today’s students. The way children are treated and taught has evolved over the years. When I was at South Main we had far fewer students in a class room than they do now and accommodations for students with disabilities was rarely seen. Technology was a reel to reel projector with built in sound. I do miss the smell of the mimeograph machine, high tech for the time. Even then we had enough space for a dedicated art room and music room. Teachers were not working with kids in closets and being taught in the hallway.
Many people are fighting the consolidated elementary claiming they are fighting to save neighbored schools. Don’t be fooled. They are fighting to keep their own tax bill down. They do not care about the conditions that the students and teachers are in every day. They would rather step over dollars to pick up dimes. Those running for school board said to be successful business people should know this saying. Trying to put a bandage on the current schools thru renovations so they last a little longer is a massive waste of tax dollars. Building three new neighborhood schools for even more money will not solve the issue of constant redistricting and moving students and teachers from one building to another year after year. And if you really want neighborhood schools there should be 4 or 5 for an even greater cost.
One school will meet the needs of all students and provide the quality environment that our children and teacher deserve. Vote YES for one community one school.
Chris Ostrowski
Bowling Green
- Editor’s note: The original headline was in error. Christopher Ostrowski attended elementary schools in BG, but graduated from St. John’s.
