We need to invest in our children's futures

Letter to the Editor:

I am the father of two students at Libby Elementary School and the husband of a Libby School employee and I am proud that my family is part of this school system. Investments in our schools are an important investment in their future, and the future of our community.

I volunteer often in the classrooms, and the quality of education the children in Libby receive is outstanding. I work with teachers and staff who enthusiastically improve students academically and socially. I can hear great educators molding minds into good citizens of our community. I trust wholeheartedly that my children are in competent and exceptional hands.

Our schools should reflect the values of our community. I have seen the district address some of the issues in their buildings and grounds since moving to Libby. The buildings in our district are old. The average age of the buildings is 58 years. We cannot continue to believe these can be maintained by patching and repairing issues as they arise. 

I witness planning long term for the district as being done every year. Last year the district invested in building a kitchen that now provides meals for hundreds of children every day. They have replaced single pane windows with energy efficient windows. When combining the elementary and middle/high school the schools had to retrofit the classrooms for the additional students in each building. They have put in a new heating system in parts of the high school. The elementary school was painted and every year parts of the sidewalks are being replaced. The schools are not being neglected nor is the administration being wasteful or irresponsible.

Right now the schools need some help from us. The levy the district is requesting is an investment in projects that need to be done now and projects that will need to done in the next five years. Taking care of these now will be far cheaper than taking care of them five or 10 years from now.

As a parent, I cannot imagine not wanting what is best for my children. I want my children to walk into a building that shows pride and purpose. It is our role as a community to take ownership of our schools. I hope that new families in our community will have a good first impression of our schools, because I know if they could see what I see and hear what I hear we will sell them on the quality of education their children will get from our teachers.

Please help support our kids and our schools and support this levy in May.

Brad Dodson,

Libby