Community Update

Why Seniors Should Vote YES on Aug 6
Fellow Residents of Farmington;
 
I am a retired resident of Farmington.  I am on a fixed income.  I have
a mortgage.  I have no children in the school system, nor have I ever.  I am
going to vote a resounding YES to the Farmington Public Schools bond proposal on
August 6th!  Let me tell you why:
 
Schools are the investment that we, as residents make in the present
and future quality of our community.  Paying for education is part of the
cost we pay, as responsible citizens for reaping the rewards of living in such a
lovely area. 
 
Am I happy to see my taxes go up.  Of course not.  No one is ever happy
to pay more taxes.  But, no thoughtful person, who cares about the children in
this community can afford to say no to this reasonable request for improving the
educational environment that our children live in for six hours every day. 

 
The Farmington Public Schools have shown careful planning and provided
for community involvement in the process of developing the plans for the
necessary improvements.  Let’s review:
 
Safety and security at all schools: Can anyone reasonably
argue, in this day and age, that our schools shouldn’t be made safe for all
children?  Where do we think these upgrades are going to come from if we don’t
pay for them?  I cannot look the parents in my neighborhood
in the eyes, and tell them that I don’t believe their children should be
protected.
 
Technology Enhancements:  I’m writing this letter on my laptop.  What I
wouldn’t give to to be more proficient, like my grandchildren who have been
using technology since they were 3 and 4.   Technology is no longer the tool of
the future.  It is the tool of today as common as the pencils, papers and
textbooks of my days as a student.  Many school districts in this country have
provided I Pads for every child.  We are behind.  Farmington children deserve to
have appropriate technology to support new learning methods and instructional
delivery.  And teachers need these tools for providing the most educational
value.
 
Upgrades to Learning Environments:  I’ve heard some of the arguments
against upgrading learning environments.  Give me a break.  There is so much
research supporting the fact that optimum environments promote learning.  I want
Farmington Schools to be the best, the brightest, the most student friendly
places.  I want our kids to love going to school everyday.  As much as the
District has done an excellent job in keeping our schools clean and presentable,
they are outdated.  It’s time for improvement.  If we think it’s expensive now,
wait until we let these buildings decay and then see how expensive an upgrade
will be.
 
My taxes will probably go up by $7-9 per month, but the children in
this community will gain immeasurably.  Your property values and mine will be
improved.  Young people will want to buy my home when I am ready to sell it--and yours, in
the not-to-distant future.  And most of all, you and I, we will have done the
right thing for our community, for our children and the educators who spend their
days helping them to grow into productive, educated citizens.
 
A Yes vote on the Aug 6th bond issue is a vote for children and a vote
against ignorance. Come on fellow seniors, let’s think about the legacy we are
leaving our youth.
 
Cheryl Willette
21108 Meadowlark St.
Farmington, MI