Dear Editor:
Competition makes us better. It forces us to create the best we can because everyone wants to be better than "the other guys." If an individual, business, or institution does not continue to improve, the processes become stagnant and outcomes diminish over time. A failure to innovate leads to complacency and obsolescence. Us vs. them is a very good thing.
Unfortunately, our public school system has been in a state of stagnation and decline for far too long as we have debated one versus two high schools for decades. We have settled for one school while seeing other communities around us embrace competition, encourage growth, and support education. Their kids are learning more and as a result their cities are doing better. There are statistics relative to graduation rates, test scores, etc. that prove this. However, we all know it is true from our personal experiences. For the young families, our friends with children are moving away, not coming back, or looking for school alternatives. The folks that have lived here for decades are now traveling to see your children and grandchildren. Those without children travel to other communities for shopping, dining, and the types of services available in growing communities. We all feel it.
The presence of multiple high schools provides choices. Choices create a decision point for families. Knowing families have to choose will make each school want to outperform the other and be more desirable. Each school will be better than our current singular offering. Embrace improvement. Encourage competition. Support two high schools.
Issue-oriented letters to [email protected] are welcome. All letters should be limited to 400 words in length; longer letters may be edited to conform to the specified length. The author's name must appear with the letter, and the name, address and phone number provided for verification. Letters that cannot be verified by telephone will not be published.