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This letter by Bill Bodden was submitted to The Redmond Spokesman in January 2002 I am not quite sure what Mary Krakow means by "the power of education" and "the power of community." (Step up to support schools - 1/30/02) However, we would probably agree that a good education for children is important and that people should contribute to their community’s common good. Krakow believes that Americans have found a new sense of community following September 11th. We would like to believe that this new spirit will endure, but recent evidence suggests otherwise and a preference for taking care of number one will again prevail. Not all voters rejected the previous Redmond school bond for selfish reasons or indifference to community. Some cast their first ever votes against a school bond for perfectly valid reasons, one of which involved an ethical question that probably never crossed the minds of bond supporters or, if it did, was rejected by them. Is it right to vote for a tax increase to improve schools if that increase means greater hardship to others already living in straitened circumstances? The controversy surrounding system development costs and their offsetting charges provides evidence of a practice that negates community spirit. New home construction creates school and other infrastructure costs, but developers, builders and new home buyers, aided and abetted by community leaders, only pay a small portion of these costs. The community’s modus operandum foists most of the costs on residents, some of whom are already heavily burdened just trying to make ends meet. Harmony cannot exist in a community with unfair policies that benefit some members while causing hardship to others. Children’s education and community spirit would be enhanced if all concerned debated openly and honestly the ethical question posed above. Back to Education Home Page Back to Schools Home Page |
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