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Do the right thing in Indian Creek

To the editor:

As pronounced in a recent letter, a topic of discussion has been the upcoming levy for Indian Creek Local School District.

It is evident the distaste and disenchantment that this event is causing. Are we not a community that bonds together? Kids from other schools — within the district — benefit from Indian Creek transportation and teacher-written individual education plans for special needs students. It is disappointing to see that this event has invoked so much bitterness and unhappiness in the community. We instruct our children to be diverse and stand for a cause. How are we instructing this when we cannot live by our own testimonies? Leaders step out from the norm to invoke change for a cause, not just for change sake.

It will cost, on average, $18 per household monthly. This is a small fragment given for such a large payoff — safety and security of our children. I do not know about anyone else, but I have been making a “monthly contribution” to one of the local gyms for membership and not taking advantage of my investment. How often do you make a contribution to a cause: Girl Scout cookies, car drawing or Easter candy sales? I can guarantee you do not overthink or second guess your charitableness. You are benefiting an organization’s cause or need. Here, your money will provide benefits for a secure, structurally sound and up-to-date education center for our future leaders. Our children are a worthy investment.

Not only are the schools susceptible to a tragic event, but also schools are old and antiquated. The state has offered us taxpayers 40 percent toward the new schools. This money has been earmarked for such a need. If we do not take advantage of these funds, another school district will happily accept. If this does not pass, we will still need new schools and this money will then not be available.

Let’s not make this an intent to demoralize or discredit character. It is more to inform and depict the level of vulnerability. As a parent of two Indian Creek students, it is heart-wrenching to think that it will take a horrific act as a school shooting to bring a community together. I have no desire to stand before friends and family at my children’s funeral nor the funerals of their friends thinking back on what could have been done. By that time, it is too late.

All money and matters aside, the most compelling speech was given by a father of one of the victims of the Florida tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He stressed that he will never look into his daughter’s face again, walk her down the isle of her wedding nor teach her another life lesson.

We have a chance to do the right thing at our fingertips in May. We cannot fix everything. We can start to fix what is necessary, not just commonplace or routine, and often taken for granted.

Sherri Williams

Wintersville

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