Letter to the Editor

Merrilyn Berg, Austin

This is an exciting time for the community of Austin and Austin Public Schools. In a time when many school districts across the state face declining enrollments, our district is growing. While this is a positive situation for our district, it also presents us with a challenge: lack of space in our current school buildings.

We need more space to give our kids the education they deserve. Without a new school building, class sizes will continue to increase. If you don’t believe this need is real, I urge you to visit one of the schools. You will see many exciting things happening, but you will also see many kids in some very small spaces. You will see classes meeting in sections of the library or media center at some schools. The need is real, right now.

The school board and administration have acted responsibly in studying the issue of space needs and have carefully considered many options. A community committee made the recommendation to build a new 5-6 intermediate school and make additions to Woodson. I served on this committee, and I know this recommendation came only after many meetings of learning about the space issues, brainstorming and discussing solutions. It is a good recommendation. Not only does it meet the space needs of the district, but it has a chance to enhance the programming we offer our students.

Please join me in voting Yes on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Yes for our kids, and Yes for the future of our community.