Jackson-Milton students will persevere after levy defeat

Jackson-Milton students will persevere after levy defeat
EDITOR:
The communities of Jackson and Milton have once again disappointed many of us by voting no on our school issue. This time it was a 5.95 bond issue to build a new middle/high school. A portion of the current facility was built in 1913 when Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States. An addition built in 1936 was a WPA project of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Apparently the $5 million in state funding made no difference to these 1,360 no voters, nor did the guarantee from the Mahoning County Library Board to build the next regional library on our campus with the passage of the bond issue. I guess we shall continue to be known in the Valley as a community that does not support education.
After providing our voters numerous opportunities to attend public forums to ask questions and participate in "classroom" discussions, information to study and homework to review, they still managed to fail the test.
At least our students have learned the value of giving. For 10 consecutive years, our Superior state-ranked Jackson-Milton Band has given our community outstanding performances -- in the gym. They have never had an appropriate practice room, proper instrumental storage space, or an auditorium in which to perform. Our No. 1 ranked wrestling program has given our school community state-wide recognition, but have had inadequate training facilities. Our growing cross country and track programs have given us state-ranked competitors, but these kids have no track on which to practice and are unable to host a home meet. JM's outstanding high school baseball and softball programs have given us hours of competitive excitement and free entertainment for entire families, but unfortunately not on fields they can call their own.
Our 2005 graduating class of 60 earned over $950,000 in scholarships and financial aid. Our eighth graders scored the second highest in the county on their math achievement test. Third grade teacher, Ms. Wetzl, has earned the prestigious National Board Certification. And collectively, Jackson-Milton students earned an effective rating on this year's state report card for the fourth consecutive year, while buckets are catching rainwater next to their desks and temperatures require coats in the classrooms.
To our students, staff, administrators, and the 1,340 yes voters please remember how Abraham Lincoln proved that the difference between history's boldest accomplishments and its most staggering failures is often, simply, the diligent will to persevere.
SUSAN KARASH, member
Jackson-Milton school board
Lake Milton
Thy kingdom come
EDITOR:
I've been reflecting a great deal about the negative comments concerning the clergy supporting Jay Williams for mayor. It breaks my heart that many don't appear to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. When you have a relationship with the One who gives and sustains life, you become transformed. God then puts on your heart those things that have eternal value in the Kingdom of Heaven, and best represent Jesus' character, integrity and mission.
I, as a Christian, am first and foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. This means I value the content of the Kingdom, which is revealed to us in the Bible. I, as a person of God, desire to have those kingdom values represented in those who run my city. Do you remember the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, they will be done?" For this to occur, people who love the Lord (not just attend church) and desire to live out the principles of the kingdom are people that we want to run our governmental offices.
From the perspective of 105 clergy, Jay Williams appears to have those traits.
RUSTY WILLS, Pastor
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Poland