Dear Editor:
Strong public school systems have long been the backbone of our country. Joni and I are both the product of public school educations, from K through 16. Our mothers were both educators in public school systems who devoted their careers to nurturing future generations through public education. Pagosa Springs has prospered because our children received great public educations.
For the last 15 years, Joni and I have been privileged to watch many of our community’s children grow up in our restaurant. We have experienced their well-rounded personalities, amazing emerging skills, and enthusiasm for learning as they took part-time jobs in our restaurant and in so many other businesses in town. We have all been enriched by knowing them; watching them graduate from high school, go to college, a trade school, or learn a valuable career skill right here. Whether those wonderful young adults stay in Pagosa to start a family or not- each of us is richer having shared their formative years with them.
It is time for our community to reach forward and meet a critical moment in our everyday lives: updating the facilities for this and coming generations of K-8 students. Our present two campuses are old, worn out, and in locations that no longer work for our community. It doesn’t take but a moment’s reflection to know that our middle school is in the wrong location, horribly outdated and unsafe for our children. Wasting taxpayer dollars trying to solve insoluble problems with that facility isn’t the answer; responsible citizenship is.
Nancy Ray’s excellent letter to the editor (September 17) supporting 5A clearly states the problem, the opportunity presented now and our choice. Lets make the decision that will make us proud- on election day and for generations to come. Please join us and vote YES on 5A.
Joni and Marty Rose
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