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This article by Bill Bodden of Redmond was published in The Redmond Spokesman in March 2004 Now that a school bond for new schools in Redmond has passed we would do well to consider what this struggle has revealed and what we can learn from the experience. The encouraging news is that many students in Redmond schools will see an improvement in their facilities, but a sobering message reminds us that the fundamental problems causing this long struggle remain. During the campaigns for three school bonds we have been exposed to the challenges in how we fund new school construction and the conflicting approaches people take toward this funding. Will we continue to subsidize those who will create needs for more new schools in the not-so-distant future, or will we ask them to pay a reasonable amount towards whatever additional schools are required? There are clear differences of opinion in how we should design and organize new schools. Do we continue with expansive single-story buildings on excessively large campuses or do we change to more economical multi-story structures placed on moderate but still adequate acreage? Do we copy architectural designs for penitentiaries and factories or do we adopt neighborhood, student-friendly places for learning? Will those who "won" this contest decide they have demonstrated that they know how to "win" and can "win" again? Will the people that "lost" this time decide they won’t "lose" next time? Or will the majority of the community come together to advocate for policies that are as reasonable and as fair as they can be without special privileges to some and unfair consequences to others? As the saying goes, the ball is in Redmond’s court to show who will play to win without regard for others and who will play according to ethical rules so that the community will win. Bill Bodden, Redmond Back to Education Home Page Back to Schools Home Page |
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