Voting "no" is not against kids

The notion that the NO vote for the high school bond issue was a vote against kids lacks respect of possible voter wisdom, or more importantly, people’s pocketbooks.

In the early 1990’s Cheney school district officials put forth a bond issue to enclose the high school — converting it from California-style buildings to one facility.

I remember well listening to the district presentation in the high school’s Little Theatre and thinking at the conclusion: I hope there’s a Plan B.

When that bond issue failed to receive a 60 percent approval, school district officials initiated small group coffee meetings in private homes in order to receive the feedback they needed to achieve a successful bond initiative.

The feedback informed the district to adjust the bond amount to reflect voter’s financial concerns. Similarly, when the bond issue for the (city’s) 50-acre park failed a few years ago, city officials surveyed residents to learn what would be needed to sway Cheney voters to a YES vote (a vote which I don’t think has yet taken place?).

The financial impact of voters paying off two school bonds when other district needs are known (new buses, technology upgrades, existing school building upgrades, another elementary school) seems shortsighted. After all, how many simultaneous bond issues can realistically be afforded by Cheney’s voters for only school needs?

Chris Stewart

Cheney