Dear Editor:
I favor the two high school approach and will vote no on Question 1 and 2. I am a Jefferson City High School alumni and very proud of the history and tradition of the school.
I also believe establishing another high school provides the opportunity for new traditions to be developed and history to be made in our community.
What drove me to action was the perception voiced by community members that the one large high school proposal was the only option truly being considered by the school board. The other options were merely treated as throwaways without legitimate consideration. Even though the school board's own phone survey indicated the citizens of Jefferson City favored a two high school solution by 74 percent this solution was never seriously explored.
Citizens were queried for their input and then the results summarily ignored by our elected school board officials. School board members are elected to represent the will of the people.
So now we approach the April 2 election and the democratic process finally takes over. The one large high school option will be up for a vote by the people of the Jefferson City Public School district. Do the citizens of this school district want a 3,000 to 3,500 student high school? We are the largest student body in the state of Missouri now. When will it be time to build a second high school? We already have two middle schools with boundary lines in the district.
If the proposal passes, I, like all good citizens will line up and support the will of the voters. If the proposal fails to pass, the elected officials of the school board should show sound leadership and finally listen to the citizens and focus on developing and passing a legitimate two high school proposal.
We do have a choice.