Dear Editor:
Although I appreciate and sympathize with Beverly Compton’s concerns expressed in last week’s letter to the editor, I believe her position is short-sighted.
I have lived in the Southwest since 1996 and in Pagosa Springs for more than 25 years. I know what it means to work multiple jobs and live paycheck to paycheck. I also know how fortunate I am to wake up every day as a resident of this amazing community.
To me, voting against the bond issue means voting against the children sitting in our classrooms today—children who will become the next generation of workers, parents, business owners, teachers, and community leaders.
I was fortunate to grow up in a small farming community in Central Illinois where residents chose to invest in my education and that of my classmates by voting for a new school. At the time, gas prices were painfully high, food and everyday expenses were rising, and many families were feeling the financial strain. Yet my community recognized that investing in its children was an investment in its future. I vowed that I would always try to do the same for the community in which I live, even when doing so is financially difficult.
And, with respect to the working families Beverly is concerned about protecting, I believe we also need to ask: What about our teachers and school staff?
They work in buildings that, in my opinion, are far from adequate—and in some cases, far from safe. We have heard about leaking ceilings, sewage backups, black mold, and aging facilities. At the same time, teachers and staff work for salaries that can barely sustain them, while the cost of health insurance can make quality coverage difficult to afford.
Our children deserve classrooms with natural light, modern and functional facilities, and environments that support learning. But our teachers and staff deserve better, too. They deserve to work in buildings that are safe, healthy, and worthy of the people who dedicate their lives to educating our children.
This bond is an investment in our children, our educators, and the future of our community. I understand that it comes with a financial cost. I also believe that some investments are worth making, even when they are difficult.
Please join me in voting YES on 5A.
Sincerely,
Ann Bubb
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