LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor:

An article in the Tyler paper on Oct. 25, concerning the location of a new planned school in Whitehouse, gave some incorrect information. I am sure the gentleman had good intentions but it would have been better had he contacted some school personnel or one of the school board members before he submitted his article. Had he done this he would have found that there were five proposed entrances to the property. If the bond issue passes, this will be the only school in the Whitehouse district that has an entrance and exit that does not enter through the city.

His proposal was to build inside the city. Of course, any school would have to have water and sewage. The only options available then would be in the City of Whitehouse or the City of Tyler. I would encourage the taxpayers to support the new bond election. I would hate to see our taxes raised to purchase portable buildings. This happened a few years back and we had to purchase 35 portable buildings. Acker Hanks Whitehouse

Editor:

During recent years the Whitehouse schools have continued to attract growing numbers of students as residential development brings more families into our district. In 2000 construction of a new high school campus and classroom additions to other campuses was completed. Currently our school district enrollment is 4,301 students.

Over the last couple of years the Board of Trustees has reviewed our growth trends and recognized the necessity for the district to develop a plan that would identify a solution for the housing of future student growth. WISD is at 90% capacity for Pre K through grade 6. At Holloway we have already exceeded capacity and had to add a portable building this year.

The members of your WISD Board of Trustees - Randall Robinson, president, Darrell Crymes, vice president, Jason Wade, secretary, Frank Cuca, Vince Primo, Kevin Cashion and Howard Patterson take any expenditure of district funds very seriously. That is why only after much study and consideration we voted unanimously to call for a $15 million bond election to fund the construction of a new elementary school. The student capacity for the proposed elementary school is 660 students with the ability to expand to 750 students by adding classrooms. The board feels that this proposed School Improvement Program is the most cost effective and educationally sound approach to meeting our students' educational needs. This proposal is expansive enough to meet current needs and also to allow growing room in future years.

The proposed school site is located north of the junior high adjacent to the Shahan Ranch Addition that is currently being developed. A portion of this property was already owned by the school district with the remainder of the property being donated by Canaan Land Development.

In a previous letter to the Editor a writer questioned the location of the school because of city traffic. Contrary to what the writer stated the new school location will actually help traffic in Whitehouse. It will have better access than any other school we have. The school will have access from highway 346 west, from highway 110 north, from the current junior high, and possibly from a proposed connection to Lilly road.

The most congested intersection in Whitehouse is the traffic light at highway 346 and 110. The proposed new campus site will actually help reduce this traffic congestion. All of the residents who live west of hwy 110 will be able to avoid this intersection when taking their kids to the new school. The school buses will be able to access the new school from the junior high instead of traveling on the road to another site.

Some people have questioned why we don't simply build a school in the county and out of the City. The reason that you can't build out in the county is because of the lack of services that are required for a school building. You must have adequate water not only to service the hundreds of students at the school but also to provide fire protection. A school must also have sewer service and police protection. The lack of sewer service in the county is one of the main reasons you have to build in the city.

It is estimated that the tax rate for bond payments will increase by 3.6 cents based upon the tax roll of the District. This year due to changes in school funding by the State Legislature your WISD Maintenance and Operations portion of the tax rate will decrease by 13 cents. Next year the tax rate is set to decrease another 33 cents.

I strongly encourage you to go to the polls and vote FOR the WISD bond. Good schools bring good people and businesses to our community. Good schools mean good property values and good neighborhoods. There is nothing more important than our children's education.

Randall Robinson WISD class of 1971