LETTER: Vote YES to fund needed high school repairs

October 29, 2021 | By Connie Perignat-Lisle

To the community: 

With regard to the HUUSD Bond, the question is whether to vote YES or NO.  There have been many arguments urging voters one way or the other. For many in the NO category, it appears the argument is about raising taxes among other things.  

Do we need to build another gym or fix the track now? They could be cut from the bond. But what is not optional is replacing the leaky roof and improving the facility to meet today’s needs. If voters vote down the bond, the repairs still need to be done but it will come from the yearly budget. What does that mean? Cut teachers. We are at a hard place. Save the building, cut teachers. Save teachers? Pass the bond. Over time, it is less expensive to fund repairs through a bond than include them in a yearly budget. 

The school board hired Truex Collins in 2015 to do a facilities report. Between one thing or another (Warren needed a bond to fix its facilities, then the HUUSD merger) the bond to repair HU has been kicked down the road. Harwood desperately needs repairs and voting NO doesn’t change the facts. Voting no on the bond means that teachers will be cut. Your choice. Do the math!

Connie Perignat-Lisle

Waterbury Center

Connie Perignat-Lisle is a retired HUHS math teacher and former chair of the math department.