New high school would erase mistakes of past

In Independence, it always has been time for a new secondary school facility.

The Independence School District made a mistake decades ago. They were faced with a difficult situation. A high school burned to the ground. Instead of rebuilding a high school, they shuffled students into the current facility, built as a junior high, and built a new middle school instead.

This means that from day one, our current junior/senior high school building was not the right fit for a high school. Everything about that original building was meant for a junior high. Through the years, there have been additions, changes and updates to the building and the modest campus. Yet, it is still a school with junior high locker rooms, and a junior high gym and stage.

Now it is time to make right the mistakes of the past. As I see more and more high school facilities in northeast Iowa, I am saddened because our students do not have the same benefits. Yet I feel hopeful about what we can do for our children in this community. Forgive mistakes of the past and vote yes on Sept. 13.

Sue Henkes

Independence