I was deeply disturbed by today’s story about the East Hill Elementary School’s planned multipurpose room and Kent Meridian High School gym’s potential delay, K-M gym project could see delay. The district made a commitment to the students, staff and parents at these schools and now they are reneging.
Yes, the economy is bad, and yes, timing may be an issue. But at what point in time are we going to support the schools in this district who need help the most? The students at East Hill Elementary and Kent Meridian High School deserve better. These two schools do not have the facility services that other schools in the district enjoy. East Hill Elementary students are forced to eat in their classrooms each day. KM’s gym is falling down around the students.
Since moving to Kent I have witnessed firsthand how these schools appear to be dismissed and stereotyped. The majority of my neighbors have moved their kids to other elementary schools within the district, rather than support their local neighborhood elementary and high school. They see run down facilities and make false assumptions about what type of education these schools provide. All schools in the Kent School District should be treated equally. No school should appear more run down than the other.
If we all choose to opt out, put off, delay and ignore these schools we are playing into the stereotype that some schools in our district are better and some are not so good. Instead we should stand by our local schools and help to make them all comparable and the best that Kent can provide – and demand that the district do the same.
The students, parents and staff at these schools have waited long enough. This levy was approved in 2006, four years ago! Further delays on these projects are unacceptable. How much longer do our students need to wait? When the voters pass a bond to support facility improvements at their local schools, the district has an obligation to follow through on that commitment – and in a timely manner.
Jennifer Hanscom
Kent
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