To the editor:
Eight years ago, my two oldest grandchildren came to live with me as their legal guardian. The eldest, who graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School (MMRHS), is now a senior at UMass Amherst. My granddaughter is now a junior at MMRHS. I have had the privilege to work with many of the teachers, support staff, guidance counselors, coaches, etc. at MMRHS during this time. The quality of their work, their commitment, and their dedication to our children is unmatched in many ways. I have the deepest respect and gratitude for these educators. I am in awe on a daily basis. This community is very lucky.
This country has had a covenant for many, many decades now that communities ensure that all children have access to public education. My family has gone to public schools for generations because of that covenant. Education is vital for our society’s well-being.
Numerous studies have been done regarding the best path forward for the current high school building. The most cost-effective, long-term plan is to build a new school. Buildings, mechanical systems, roofs, etc. meet the end of their life cycle after certain periods of time. Nickle-and-diming repairs is throwing good money after bad. Nickle-and-diming repairs does not allow for any government subsidies, but a new building does. Our children deserve a healthy building in which to learn. Our teachers and all the rest of this incredible staff deserve to support and educate our children in a healthy building.
I am in my late 60s. Can I afford a tax increase? Not really. However, for me, personally—again, for me, personally—this is a moral choice. Even though I will not have any kids in this school system after my granddaughter graduates, I will not turn my back on the future of all the kids following her. I am committed to the covenant that all children deserve the best public education we can provide. It is a commitment to and investment in everyone’s future. Let’s get them out of that very sick and aging building and do right by them and our teachers and our staff. Please vote “Yes” on November 4 for a new high school building. Please!
Deb Guhl
Housatonic
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