Koester urges voters to support school referendum

In just a few weeks most (or many) of us will be heading to the voting booth. Beyond the election of political leadership, another important local issue is on the ballot. You will be asked to determine a referendum that could provide money for school improvements. I believe that much of the population has already decided as to whether they will vote for or against this initiative. I have respect for that decision, regardless of which way you plan to vote.

After previous failures to secure majority support, the school district decided that a different approach was necessary to determine if there was common ground to be had amongst the taxpayers. They wanted to gather as much community input as possible and decided that the initiative should be citizen-driven, rather than pushed out strictly from the school district. Over the last many months, we have spent days in each of the district schools, talked to administration, educators and maintenance staff, and visited with hundreds of you to gather input.

Here is what I have learned…When the high school (where major upgrades and improvements are proposed) was built in 1968, it was state-of-the-art. But when ‘we’ went to school there, many of us carried 6-7 large, heavy textbooks wrapped in paper bags we acquired from the local IGA grocery store. Today our students rely on Chromebooks and computerized equipment that allows for up-to-date information and 24-hour access that we never dreamt of. Class offerings have expanded to meet the real world demands of a highly educated and multi-talented workforce. Buildings, classrooms and hardware must be expanded and improved to meet these needs.

The security and safety of our students is critical. Threats have changed and technology has improved. Upgrades to everything from fire detection to denying intruder access are sorely needed. Improvements need to be made to ensure that everyone, regardless of their capabilities, has access to restrooms, classrooms, and emergency exits.

The school district is working with our businesses and industries in a mutually beneficial relationship. The school tailors classes and skills-based learning to local needs and in turn, these companies provide workstudy opportunities and specialized equipment to assist in that effort. Students can get college credit for many courses, shortening the amount of time to acquire their degree and reduce the cost as well. Local employers and individuals have opted to spend their advertising dollars on upgrades to community-facing venues like Raider Hall and Raider Field.

In every case, I came away with an increased respect for the effort and passion put forward from our teachers, coaches and support staff. I am hopeful that we can find a way to give them the best tools to do their jobs. I am proud to be a Medford graduate and I remain mindful and grateful of the fact that I attended schools that were paid for by people who came before me, by people who never met me, but by people who still wanted me to have an opportunity to be successful. — Dave Koester, Medford