To the Editor:
Once again, the taxpayers of Mitchell will get no voice deciding on the extravagant $18 million dollar fine arts center.
This is one of the reasons why Mitchell has the highest property taxes in South Dakota. It's time to stand up to the powers that be and demand some public forums for the majority of the people that oppose this special interest project.
Should a new fine arts center take precedence over students, teachers, academics and school buildings? I find it quite alarming that Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary is overflowing with a growing school enrollment. The school is in need of more classrooms, an art room and computer labs, which will require more teachers.
Our school district has the worst indoor practice athletic facilities in the state. Has the school board addressed this issue? It's a shame our well-built high school is not keeping up with other high schools in South Dakota that were built in the same era. These districts maintain their schools.
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Brookings, O'Gorman and Huron have upgraded and modernized their schools and auditoriums, while Mitchell's high school and auditorium remain stagnate. Has the school board taken a trip to Brooking and toured its remodeled and upgraded high school and fine arts center? If board members did, they might hear what they don't want to hear.
The Mitchell school board should not be in the business of building a fine arts center, because show choir is a private club activity, and only five other AA schools have it. Show choir is not sanctioned by the South Dakota Activities Association because it's very costly, and very few clubs can afford to participate. Our education system, starting with begindergarten through high school, along with teachers and maintenance of school buildings, should come first.
Maybe the school board and administration should work with the city and replace the swimming pool they filled in a few years ago.
A lack of transparency is a huge political advantage when there is little chance of public opposition. It's time to listen to the citizens of Mitchell, because, after all, it is the taxpayers' money.
Tara Volesky
Mitchell
