To the editor:

The school bond issue in its current form should not be approved. Voices were heard loud and clear at the public meetings this fall that neighborhood elementary schools are vital to the well-being of the community. There was a proposal made, more than once, that the construction issues be separated; either in the form of several district-wide remodel/construction options or by separating elementary, junior high, and high school needs. Lawrence voters deserve the opportunity to decide how much they are willing to spend on school facility changes, and what their priorities are.

While parts of the bond issue are true needs and have merit, the wording of the bond issue as it stands calls for the closure of Centennial and East Heights elementary schools. The board is asking this community to intentionally inflict hardship on urban, high-risk neighborhoods, their elementary schools and their children.

The district’s highly paid consultants are working with the “yes” vote group, developing nice color brochures and posters and preparing a general marketing blitz to “sell” the bond issue.

Do not be blinded or confused by pretty pictures and flowery prose. This bond issue will cost you money, it will cost neighborhoods their centralizing entity, it will cost surrounding homeowners in decreased property values, it will cost the city in reduced property tax revenues, it will cost our children their neighborhood schools.

Kirsten Roussel,

Lawrence