OPINIOPN: Community member explains need to expand Bigfork high school

Periodically, a community is presented an opportunity to choose to invest their tax dollars in a local project. In such cases it is very beneficial if as many voters as possible are made aware of the project and have a chance to voice their opinions and provide input.

The community of Bigfork will have just such an opportunity this fall, when the bond to renovate the Bigfork High School comes to a vote. Let there be no mistake, this is a major renovation and comes at a significant cost. We must now decide if the benefit is worth the cost.

A brief look back reveals that Bigfork proposed building a new high school in 1995, but the community did not support that effort. In 2007, a proposal to renovate portions of the school was also narrowly defeated. This means that for nearly 40 years, the school has had only minor changes. Once again, in 2015 the school is proposing a renovation of the high school.

This time a committee of school and community members (of whom I was one) met for three days this spring to determine the need for renovation and, if needed, just what should be done. While a large number of potential changes were discussed and with much passionate support for one idea versus another, the group put together a plan it felt best served the needs of our students and could be supported by the community. Is it perfect? I seriously doubt that it is.

This is why we are presenting our proposal to the public to get their ideas and further explain exactly what and why we are proposing this solution. We have already received many responses, and Mr. Saari spent a great deal of his time explaining his views. This is exactly what is needed to make sure all viewpoints are considered and the best possible plan is presented.

However, and this is a big however, not everyone will ever be fully pleased with whatever is proposed. Some will want nothing to be done, others may want an entire new high school and some will want to add or delete one part or another from the plan. I would ask those who have misgivings about the plan to not lose the good in search of the perfect.

We strongly believe this plan does provide our students with a major improvement in their education and will significantly increase their opportunity for success in the future. While it is true we have produced many outstanding students in the past, we can and must continue to do better for our future students.

For those of you who wonder, why invest in these young people at all or note that you have no children in school and, therefore, no reason to spend your tax dollars, let me briefly point out some things for your consideration.

I was in the military for 20 years and taught for an additional 20, mostly at Bigfork High School. In both careers, I saw how important a solid education was for the success of the individuals, the community and indeed the nation. I look at my former students and I see doctors, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, lawyers, architects, engineers, military officers/enlisted, teachers, law enforcement officers, business people, mechanics, construction workers landscapers, electricians, skilled technicians, politicians, actors, artists and many more providing critical service to their communities and supporting their families. We, in this community, depend on these very people for our well-being.

I am proud to have played a small role in their education and success and strongly feel there is yet another new generation waiting in the wings for an opportunity to fulfill their dreams and hopes for the future. Investing in education, providing opportunity, mentoring/inspiring students and, yes benefiting from all their success is all part of the commitment one generation makes to another. This bond is a step towards meeting that commitment and will pay great dividends for all of us for many years to come.

By all means take your time, look at all the facts and then, question, propose and engage in the process. A complete set of renovation drawings are available in the District 38 superintendent’s office and these will give you a full picture of what is being proposed and why it is needed. We welcome all members of our community to be part of the solution and look forward to hearing from you.

Little is a resident of Bigfork.