Patience
Once again, let me begin by reminding you that this column is my opinion and my opinion only. I am not speaking for the board but merely making observations about educational and community topics.
It must be like this for anyone who has a precious gift to give and has to wait to do so until a certain date. I am bursting with pride in our community and in the gift we have given our children. The ball is rolling- just not rolling FAST ENOUGH. To revisit how long we have waited: it has been about eighteen months since a community committee and the board reviewed at least six, serious RFP’s to determine who would lead us through this time. Obviously, we chose well and the DLR Group has been fantastic. Many in the community and many students have given input and worked shoulder to shoulder to get the ballot measure passed. And Pass it did. Clearly DLR understands our needs and the community stepped up to see what vital issues were best met with the passage of this bond. We have eighteen months experience with this company, and they have led us through the wilderness of “ins and outs” that go along with in depth planning. Clearly the Community, including the school board and DLR, did our homework. Now we wait.
The bonds need to be sold which could take up to the middle or late September to complete. Over the summer, we can begin the geotechnical engineering, the land surveying, and the hazardous materials testing and even some of the design drafts. We will be able to form the oversight committee composed of citizens who will meet and assure that all bond promises are delivered while building community relationships and providing uniform consistent messages regarding the bond projects to the community. Find the link to the application for this committee here: http://www.fernridge.k12.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Citizens-Oversight-Committee-Application.pdf
Please consider getting involved in this most important job. There will be monthly meetings to receive information from the district representative, architect and contractors and engage in discussions regarding bond project updates and related budget updates each month. One person will likely be chosen to present a brief status report at the regular monthly Board Meeting – of course everyone is invited to attend any and all meetings as well.
SO it is beginning… Just not fast enough for the impatience of youth, or, in this case, the eagerness of old age to see the results.
I leave you with this thought from Sydney J. Harris: “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” We should be very happy with what we are seeing happening in our community. Thanks again for supporting our students and staff.
Thanks for reading my column this year and please submit comments and questions to me at this email tmorton@fernridge.k12.or.us