Letter: Retired principal supports Iowa City bond

As the longtime principal of Hills Elementary, I watched for many years as the district took a less planned approach to addressing facility needs. Where there was rapid growth, a new school was built or renovated. This frequently left older schools forgotten.

The ICCSD's 10 year Facility Master Plan is designed to be a comprehensive approach to improving all schools and, with four years down and six years yet to go, it's time we put aside our differences and vote yes for our kids and for our teachers. With Bond passage, all elementary schools will be air-conditioned and ADA accessible by 2019, junior highs finished by 2020 and high schools completed by 2021. These are not options but necessities.

The Hills Community is thriving. The school is growing and has the highest enrollment in many years with over 200 students, nearly double what it was just four years ago. If the school continues to grow as anticipated, there may be the need for additional space at Hills, however, none of that will happen until other school projects are completed and that takes passage of the bond.

Join me in supporting all of our schools, all of our students, and all of our teachers by voting yes.

John Marshall

Iowa City, IA

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