The Time is Now

Anywhere you look, a community is defined by the quality of its public schools. As the school district goes, so does the town – and in our case the entire county. MVISD is a huge part of our community’s DNA – the two cannot be separated.

At a time when an increasing number of school districts across this country, including many here in Texas, are plagued by party politics, polarizing ideology differences, internal strife, low morale and even corruption, MVISD continues to be the exception. We are fortunate to have outstanding educators, a dynamic, forward-thinking administration and dedicated school board members who truly care about what is best for not only the students but also the community as a whole.

Led by MVISD, our little neck of the woods is a beacon of stability in the face of troubling national trends. We still do things based upon small town East Texas values, and that is why many of us proudly call Franklin County home.

But if we do not give MVISD the financial support it needs, we risk losing these things. The quickest way for a community to deteriorate is for its schools to deteriorate. This is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue. It is not a conservative vs. liberal issue. It is not a parents of students vs. empty-nesters issue. It is about investment in our community. It is about taking care of our own backyard. It is about maintaining our very way of life in Franklin County.

Many of our school facilities are very outdated. There are significant health/safety issues that put our children and educators at risk. We have fallen behind peer districts in other respects, inhibiting academic improvement. It is not the fault of the superintendent, teachers or school board – they are doing the best they can with available resources, but their hands are tied. This should be a matter of concern for everyone in Franklin County.

We desperately need to pass both bond propositions. Although sometimes misunderstood, bond financing is the primary source of funding of improvements and other capital needs for Texas school districts. If done right -- and our school board is doing it right -- bond financing is a very smart and safe way to fund long-term investment. It is how successful school districts get things done, and in our case it is the only way to adequately address the current needs. Anything less would be a mere band-aid on problems that will just get worse over time.

MVISD leaders have spent countless hours studying the district’s needs and consulting with school design experts, safety engineers, financial advisors, legal counsel and others about how to fix the problems in the most prudent, efficient and fiscally responsible manner. They have done their homework, including examining what other successful school districts have done, and have come up with an excellent plan for MVISD and Franklin County, one that deserves our support.

The time is now.

Please support the children. Please support investment in the community. Please vote YES for both Proposition A and Proposition B.

Brad Lowry