Measure R pros and cons

I am a student at Oak Park High School. Our teachers are really great but the schools deserve to be fixed. It would really help us because we don't want the schools to fall down. We really need air conditioning in the gym. We have two fans and they hardly help at all.

I ask the voters to vote yes on Measure R. A.J. Kapitz Oak Park

Consider the deteriorating condition of the Oak Park schools and the learning environment we desire for our children. Measure R addresses the community's obligation to our children, their education and our commitment to their wellbeing while in the care of the schools.

Measure R is an investment and a promise to our children that we will continue to support their education by taking care of their schools.

Measure R should not be made into a politically divisive tool utilized by a select few whose children have already benefited from our exceptional school district.

In fact, most of the letters written in opposition to Measure R were penned by residents whose children have long since graduated or currently attend private schools.

It hardly seems appropriate for those whose children no longer have a use for Oak Park schools to influence the decision of the community, especially when their children benefited from the only district bond passed 30 years ago. Should the current students be denied the same learning environment?

Our children should not have to endure decaying classroom conditions indefinitely due to the displeasure of some very shortsighted individuals who have attempted to divert attention away from the real issue: upkeep and maintenance of our schools.

This measure is not about permit students. This measure is not a vehicle to voice displeasure for the school board. If these are your concerns, express them at the next school board meeting. But don't allow distractions to overshadow the intent of Measure R, which is to provide funding for repair and maintenance of our schools.

We encourage you to examine the measure and decide for yourself who has the hidden agenda. Measure R is about responsibility, repair and restoration of our highly respected, highly revered school district and the preservation of its future. Please vote yes on Measure R. Wickham and Sheila Irwin Oak Park

In order for school districts to succeed in today's world, the challenges have never been greater. Parents have high expectations and funding is provided by a very complicated system. In spite of the pittance funding by the state government, Oak Park schools have outperformed all local districts and are among the highest performing in the state and also achieving national recognition.

The quality of schools also reflects on the neighborhood property values, thereby making Measure R such an important bond to be passed.

The original residents of Oak Park realized the importance of education and initiated funding of the schools. Now after 30 years the taxes for the funding are winding down and it is time for repairs.

The repairs are basic: roofs, fire systems, safety systems, security, electrical, parking lots, among others. A comprehensive list of the repairs was prepared by independent consultants working with parent/community committees.

Every other school district has supported repair measures without hesitation. Oak Park schools are a cornerstone to our little community. It is our responsibility to support them.

I ask you to join me and vote yes on Measure R. Mahalaxmi Kumar Oak Park

The Oak Park Unified School District Board of Education commissioned a study of our facilities this year. This study told us that our schools need extensive repairs and upgrades, now. Included are such basic things as fire alarms and seismic reinforcement.

We, the board, used the results of this study to work with our facilities committee, composed of parents, teachers, and other community members, to develop the project list for the bond measure, Measure R.

Why are we using a bond measure to fund these necessary repairs? It is because the work that is required over the next 10 years totals $29.5 million. This amount is impossible to take from general operating funds without affecting children in the classroom. Our general funds are to be used for classroom instruction and the day-to-day running of schools with a minimum allotted for maintenance in years when the state hasn't "raided" that fund.

We are expected to pass bond measures for most repairs and maintenance and possibly we'll get some matching funds to help complete the work. While we in Oak Park have not passed a facilities bond measure since we formed the district, we have watched our neighbors pass bond measures every nine or 10 years.

I'm supporting Measure R because in order to continue giving our children the best education possible I believe that they also need to be in safe surroundings which are conducive to learning and, more importantly, to live up to the trust given us by the parents and the community to protect our children and keep them safe. Jan Iceland Oak Park

Iceland is a member of the OPUSD Board of Education

1978 was a long time ago, and a parsimonious Oak Park school board and staff over many years certainly managed to maximize (with a few exceptions) the dollars the community gave to the schools.

It is critical that we take the long view here and understand that we are in competition not only with neighboring private schools, but with kids in India, China, Europe and the rest of the world. The very "short term" arguments about C6 money, healthy food for our kids, and, yes "higher taxes" is symptomatic of the R. Reagan "anti-tax anti-government at all costs" mentality that has put us where we are today.

Let's have a healthy debate focusing on kids. Let's talk about strong community oversight. Let's admit previous boards got a little aggressive with attempts at new bonds, but let us not lose sight of the future and the wellbeing of our children.

Please support Measure R. Jim Kalember Oak Park