LETTER: 'Yes' vote supports school activities

We would like to personally thank the gracious people of the Flathead Valley for their amazing support of schools and our activity programs.

Before our voters is a significant request to continue the support of schools and kids within our community. We recognize that each voter has their own view of schools and our programs and hopefully most views are quite positive. However, the bond issue before you provides an opportunity to enrich the lives of our current and next generation of students by voting yes. And yes, a small portion of the bond will go to Legends Stadium.

We would like voters to know that for the last 16 years, bits and pieces of upgrades have occurred throughout the facility with both taxpayer and fundraising dollars. We started improving the facility when the Legends fundraising group became a catalyst for a decrepit facility in need of serious improvements. In 2000, 40 community leaders signed for a loan of close to $700,000 to begin the process oF reconstructing bleachers, building restrooms, concessions and sidewalks. Since then, the school district and other fundraising efforts have funded locker rooms, additional bleachers, fencing and upkeep. One of the last major areas to complete is the field. With a crown greater than three feet and poor drainage, it’s a saturated mess when even small amounts of precipitation occur in the late fall.

The bond also provides additional mobile bleachers that expand seating at Legends and also could meet needs at Glacier High, which has almost no bleachers. This funding will expand field use for both football and soccer, accommodating 75 plus games per season.

It will also bring the facility on par with other “AA” facilities throughout the state of Montana, where half of the schools are playing on artificial turf.

By saying yes, voters are saying that they also support activities because they see activities as a great investment. Students at the highest risk of school dropout benefit the most from activities. Those who participate in activities also have higher GPAs, miss less school, and graduate from college at a higher rate than other students. With all these benefits, school activities provide significant benefits for a relatively low cost within an operating budget and bond issue.

We urge you to vote yes for Kalispell, our community, and our students.

Dennehy is activities director and assistant principal at Glacier High School. Wilson is activities director and assistant principal at Flathead High School.