The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor,
LOCATION!
LOCATION!
LOCATION!
The Illini West School District will soon have another referendum vote, April 9th. My vote is the same as my Nov. vote, NO.
I believe it's not fair to ALL the students, families, and surrounding communities to have it located in Carthage. Lomax students lose one hour a day or more on transportation. They also have to spend more for gasoline; we personally have spent over $1200 a year. I won't even mention the late nights & early mornings.
I also believe the convergence would have never have passed if voters were told the school would eventually stay in Carthage.
Yes we need a new school, but we need it centrally located.
Cindy Logan
Former Committee of 10 member
High School: Centrally Located PLEASE
By Ryan Kienast
In regards to an article I read in another paper, what would be wrong with our high school being built 10-12 miles north of its present location. When we converged, we were lead to believe it would be built in a more central location. The safety of our kids would be no more jeopardized than in town. The remarks made to me are like saying don't build a house in the country cause you are not in a safe location. I also believe that the bond did not pass the first time, not because of the cost of the project but because of the location. I would much rather pay for something that will all be in one good location, regardless of the cost. Dropping the cost by $1 million dollars to me is like saying well if they didn't need it why was it in the construction plans to start with.
The businesses in these towns would also gain if the school was built in a more central location for after games etc. not just Carthage. Where are most new schools being built at? In the country. Examples of newer schools being built in the country are Cuba, West Central, Camp Point , West Prairie and Sherrard. Yes it might cost a little more at first, but in the long run it will pay off. A wind turbine could also be put up if the school is built in the country, this couldn't be done if built in town. The turbine would be a great teaching tool as well as help out with energy costs.
It will be less money in gas for a lot of the parents, and arrival times for sporting events more equal so more parents can make events after they get off work. Not to mention we wouldn't have our children on the roads all hours of the day whether it be in a school bus or driving their own vehicle. If it was built 10 to 12 miles north for safety reasons, I believe Dallas City and La Harpe have a great fire department, and I also believe La Harpe has a great ambulance service as well. So all this help combined with Carthage's, might make it a little safer. If the MedEvac would have to land, it would be a lot easier to land in the country than within town. These are just a few of the reasons I believe our school should be more centrally built.