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Once again the school board wants money. More money by tugging on the heart strings of the voters to help the students. Just once it would be nice if the school board could see the forest for the trees.

Before I go any further, let me say that I know the school board works very hard and they truly care about the students. What they don't grasp, at least publicly, is that an independent district is probably no longer in the best interests of the students.

The district has approximately 340 students spread out over a large geographic area. Be it today, next month, or next year, this district no longer has the critical mass needed to remain an independent district.

To truly benefit the students the school board should design a plan to merge this district with one or more neighboring districts. Each board member must know in their heart of hearts that sooner or later, district 118 will cease to exist. Would it not be more prudent to act now rather than later, after more money is spent?

A lot of you reading this must see that district 118 is dying from declining enrollment and changing times. Does anyone really believe that a few new school busses and a few extra dollars per month will do anything but delay the inevitable? The students deserve better. The students deserve a viable education system.

A few years ago the district wanted to spend $10,000,000 plus on facilities. The voters repeatedly said 'no'. Once again the voters should say 'no'.

Merging school districts also costs money. It is not a free ride. That money, however, is in the best interests of the students.[[In-content Ad]]

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