Future of School
At Stake in SoRo

I thank The Herald for publishing letters in the last two issues that describe how sensible the South Royalton New Gym proposal is. I have already voted YES. (The Town Clerk is open 9-3 Monday-Thursday.)

If you look at the full spectrum of community members who volunteered and worked on the School Building Committee-from Grace Adams, retiree, to Geo Honigford, farmer, to Committee Chair Jim Hewitt, school teacher, (and others) I believe you will recognize all are trusted, knowledgeable people with diverse backgrounds so that our community itself is well represented on the committee.

I believe that people who work on behalf of our community—like our selectboard and fire and rescue squads—are accountable to us. And I believe when they come to us, the voters, with a request for support or proposal for change, we in turn owe them our fullest attention. I believe that since the building committee members are known to be good stewards of public trust and assets, their request for our YES vote is a powerful message that change is needed. Now.

I believe if this vote fails it will be the beginning of the end of our school. I believe a "No" vote will bring decreased enrollment at a time economies of scale and demographics demand our school competes for students from other towns. We will all greatly miss the community connections and vitality that come only from our K-12 school: learning, striving, travel, plays, clubs, concerts, sports, parents meeting other parents, students working with other students.

South Royalton grabbed my attention my first year at VLS in 1981 as "being South Royalton" because of a magical blend of law schoolers, local folks and young people. The best way to support our youngest community members now is to vote yes on the building proposal.

I believe it bears repeating there is no such thing as a "free lunch" so let’s take a moment to appreciate the quality of our lives in this peaceful corner of the world. I believe our community’s involvement in our school in raising and educating the next generation benefits everyone.

Your yes vote means we can sustain something precious.

Kathleen Hassey

South Royalton