Say 'yes' to elementary 7

Dear Editor,

Actually, the vote on the school referendum IS elementary. The question is whether or not to build a new elementary school. The recent letter suggesting that there are other feasible alternatives is misleading.
 
First, you cannot just cancel the SAGE program and immediately free up the space needed to educate the 200+ students that will have no place to go in Fall 2008.

Further, the letter writer wants you to believe that there would be no cost involved in cancelling SAGE. That is incorrect, there are contracts in place with the state.

Further, it would not address the overcrowding at Eastside -- since Eastside is not a SAGE school. At best it would free up one or two classrooms at Westside in the short term. We need more than one or two classrooms. Finally, SAGE is a policy decision that should not be tied up with this building referendum.
 
Second, to suggest that the old junior high which is nearly 40 years old can be retrofitted to be an elementary school is misleading. The original junior high was ripped down after it was 50 years old. Does it make any sense to put money into a building that might only have 10 years of useful life left? Are there asbestos, lead or mold issues in that building that might make it unsafe to retrofit or habitat? Please do not experiment with our children's health for the sake of saving a few dollars.
 
Lastly, it is mean-spririted to suggest that the school district staff and the school board has gamed the system to find a way to lower voter turnout and keep information from the public. There were two mailings and close to 20 informational meetings held in the city.

Additionally, the local papers (including Sun Prairie Today) have done extensive coverage of the entire process and the issues from day one. This is not a surprise referendum and no one can claim they have not received enough information to make an informed decision.
 
I urge everyone to vote "yes" for this new school. As a parent and as a Sun Prairie business owner, I see the public schools as a community resource and their success as vital to all of us.
 
Jan Fournier