Lon Zimmerman, Sergeant Bluff, IA.
(SBA) - President Trump is calling for “common sense” to prevail when it comes to both methods of governance and in personal decision making. One wouldn't think it necessary to make such an assertion, but examining things going on at even a local level in small-town Sergeant Bluff might indicate that a reminder is a very good idea.
A recent mailer from the SBL Community Schools. (The Warrior Update) would be a good place to start.
1. The graduating class of 2025 has 147 members. 66% of these young people are graduating with either High Honors or the Highest Honors!!!
2. The publication denotes that SBL stands for Strength-Build-Lead. Apparently this is in response to some in our town who have alleged that it stands for Sports Before Learning. Meanwhile work is moving forward at the East Campus where numerous athletic facilities are under construction even though the bond issue for the new classrooms was defeated.
3. Apparently the old adage that “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades” can be expanded to include school bond approvals as millions of dollars of debt are being accrued at the East Campus in anticipation of approval of the bond initiative in November.
4. The all-masonry K-2 building must go. It has been used for six hours a day for 180 days a year since it was opened. Interestingly, the wood framed military housing constructed at about the same time is still serving families for 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and houses a goodly number of our SBL students.
5. At current levels of funding, we are providing more than. $200,000 per student to educate each child from kindergarten through 12th grade. How much is enough?
6. Starting this year we will be able to purchase popcorn at school events using credit cards or debit cards. No need for workers to handle money or learn to make change.
7. The publication alludes to the many accomplishments of SBL students. It is truly amazing to see such achievement with such poor and deficient facilities as our district is proclaimed to have - unless perhaps buildings aren't as important as what goes on inside of them.
Lon Zimmerman, Sergeant Bluff, IA.
