I am writing today to voice my support for the upcoming Seaside School District bond .

The environment for our students needs to be secure, comfortable and safe. When looking at the current facilities, it is clear that the cost of maintenance for buildings is something that cannot be sustained. The schools were built to last 50 years and were not designed for our harsh conditions along the coast. The average age of the schools is now 65 years — and they are deteriorating. A walk down the halls on a rainy day will show leaky roofs. Upon closer look below the hallways, there are rusted pipes, old electrical wiring and failing heating systems. In one school, there are 17 portable classrooms because the septic field is at capacity.

Why should we rebuild the schools and not repair? Current maintenance costs are $300,000- $500,000 a year beyond normal maintenance costs. To fully correct and renovate te roofing, piping, plumbing and electrical systems would cost over $30 million. This doesn’t include seismic retrofitting and correcting structural deficiencies.

Our community has been able to develop corporate support. Weyerhaeuser will donate the land to locate the new facilities next to the Heights Elementary school and outside of the tsunami zone.

I believe that everyone in our community bears a responsibility to support the current generation of students. Business and individuals do look for good schools and a well-educated workforce when they make decisions about where to locate. Investing in our schools is an investment in our community and employment opportunities.

We have a great opportunity to maximize available funds, take advantage of favorable interest rates, reduce project costs and incorporate donated land. We should move forward to receive the best bang for our education dollars.

Caryl Scharpf

Gearhart