Editorial: CCCNews weighs in on school bond; Together we can tip the scales
Josh Albert, Tom Peterson and Cole Goodwin - Photo by Peggy Peterson
At the heart of every community lies its educational institutions. They shape minds, mold futures, and herald the dawn of new eras. The Dalles and North Wasco County stand on the cusp of such an era, with the decision to invest in a modern high school that promises safety, accessibility, and a nurturing environment.
The upcoming 30-year Bond is asking voters for $140 million at a tax rate of $2.73 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The average home in The Dalles is $222,000 of assessed property value - meaning the average property owner would kick in about $50 a month for the new school. Ballots went out in the mail on Oct. 17 for the Nov. 7 election. In our coverage of the Bond, CCCNews has learned a lot about the history, problematic present, and potential future of TDHS facilities.
Our current high school is 82 years old.
It was built during World War II for 400 students.
The High School Year Book from 1947 - when the school was in prime condition - lists 20 teachers a principal, one secretary, and 378 students.
Currently, there are more than 80 staff at the high school including assistants, teachers, counselors, and administrators and that does not include support - food services, custodians, and maintenance. There are 850 students.
Staircase heading down to 505 (The dungeon) - this route often sees a crushing 150 or more students and staff during a 5-minute passing period at the current TDHS that was built in 1941.
Times have certainly changed.
And so has the landscape of education.
Projects and group work, computing, science and career and technology education have fundamentally different requirements than 82 years ago - these are the tools the youth today need to access to become productive critical thinkers and leaders for us all in the future.
And the current school lacks many of these elements. Classrooms are either too small or are cut up into awkward shapes. There are only a few common areas for students to meet.
The cafeteria only sits 12 percent of the student body.
Students are aware of the shortcomings, especially when they visit other school districts.
Science tells us that the neglect of our youth and students' needs can have lifelong consequences. The worst thing you can do to a person is ignore them - ignore their needs, and extinguish their dreams by burying them in frustrations and barriers - physical barriers such as small classrooms, poor heating and air conditioning and inadequate access to computers and the internet.
Larkin Hampton patiently waits for her mom, Amy Hampton to carry her knee scooter up the middle staircase on the ground floor of the school. The current high school contains many pitfalls for students experiencing temporary or more permanent disabilities. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
How can we in good conscience stunt the growth of our youth? These are the people who, if nurtured, can do the most to enable our community to flourish.
We ask then, who is going to care for our youth if we voters do not?
The new high school is about shaping a future. A future that is safe for our children, accessible to all regardless of physical ability, and conducive to an educational environment that fosters inclusion in line with the values that CCCNews holds dear.
The price tag is significant, no doubt.
But not out of line with other high school projects we have looked at. The 60 community members who have crafted this bond are being absolutely upfront with all the true cost - including furniture, hardware, design, and engineering.
It has been stated that the price is too high compared to recent builds in neighboring communities such as Bend, which has been reported at $500 per square foot.
However, on further analysis, figures used in getting a per-square-foot cost for Bend High lacked soft costs for items like architectural, engineering, and other professional services, taxes, equipment rentals, and fees.
In fact, it was reported that Bend used an additional $10 million from a preceding bond to pay for some of those costs.
If you make an apples-to-apples comparison, the new high school proposed in The Dalles falls right in line with those hard costs - materials and labor only to build the school - somewhere around $510 per square foot.
The frugal choice here is to build it now. If we wait, we’ll pay more. And worse, we will sacrifice our kids by limiting their potential in the meantime.
This is why, CCCNews is proudly endorsing the proposal for a new high school. For it is our heartfelt belief that endorsing this bond is in line with our mission to deliver solutions-based journalism. This bond fosters prosperity and understanding in our communities. This is not merely an endorsement of a building but of a brighter future, a statement of belief in the potential of our community.
We invite our readers to reflect upon our coverage, engage with us in discussions, and to make an informed choice this November. Let us come together and make a decision not just for today, but for the many tomorrows that will define The Dalles.
Tom Peterson
Editor-in-Chief, CCCNews
Cole Goodwin
Journalist, CCCNews
Josh Albert
Video Editor and Content Creator, CCCNews
Peggy Peterson
Editor and Finance, CCCNews
Robin Denning
Co-Founder CCCNews
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Column: TDHS '02 Grad Esquivias Myers keeps it local as bank branch manager - Nancy Turner and Patty Rolen, CCC News, Aug 31, 2023
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North Wasco County School District Secures Unanimous Vote for $140 Million Bond on November 23 Ballot to Replace The Dalles High School -Columbia Community Connection, Robin Denning, June 16th, 2023
Student Lead Tour of TDHS reveals ‘Heartbreaking’ Struggle for ADA Compliance - Columbia Community Connection, Cole Goodwin, Feb. 4th, 2023
Group Considers Proposing a Bond for a New High School In The Dalles - The What, Where, Why and How Much? - Columbia Community Connection, Robin Denning, December 28th, 2022
TD High School Bond polling kicks off this week -Columbia Community Connection, Stephanie Bowen, October 18, 2022
D21 and Community Advisory Committee Agree on Scope of New School Bond - Columbia Community Connection, Cole Goodwin, June 3rd, 2022
North Wasco County School District 21 seeks bond measure planning committee members - Columbia Community Connection, Cole Goodwin, May 5th, 2022
