Dear Editor:
As a member of the Sheridan Community Schools Board of Trustees, a retired administrator, teacher, and coach of 39 years with the Sheridan Community Schools, I feel I am very qualified to state reasons why citizens of the Sheridan Community should vote “yes” on the May 2 school referendum. The decision to run the referendum was made with much thought, study, and discussion.
Sheridan Community Schools has lost $430,000 under the new student state funding program. The referendum will only restore one third of the funds that have been lost over the last two years. SCS is projected to lose an additional $330,000 in three years due to the Farm Bill that decreases the assessed reduction value of farm land. Even with the tax increase from the referendum, the tax rate will be less then what it was two years ago. The Sheridan Community Schools prides itself on doing what is best for the students in the most economical way possible. The new referendum will not add to the existing referendum. It will begin when the prior referendum ends. Tax payers will not be paying on two referendums at the same time.
If the referendum fails, Sheridan Community Schools could go one more year without changes. However, after that year programs would have to be cut. This is not what we want to happen for the success of our students. Sheridan Community Schools is very proud of its student/teacher ratio. It is also proud of the fact that it offers thirteen advanced placement programs which has allowed some participating students to enter college as sophomores. To be able to keep our current curriculum and add new, innovative courses, we can’t cut staff or programs. However, without passing the referendum, we will not have the resources to carry on all of our current programs, classes and activities or add new programs.
An educated community is one in which people thrive and prosper. Please vote “yes” on the Sheridan Community Schools referendum on Tuesday, May 2, and keep our school producing well-educated, qualified, informed students and community members.
Sincerely,
Randy Brimberry
Sheridan Community School Board Member