As election day approaches, it is important to remember to keep a watchful eye on local issues, as well as the big issues, impacting voters throughout the state and nation.

An issue of vital importance for our community and Auburn students is the reconstruction and modernization bond before voters this fall.

Teachers and students at Auburn High School daily address deficiencies in climate control and have very hot or cold classrooms, have been subject to periodic pipe bursts that flood spaces and teach and learn in spaces not suited to 21st-century education and the full

achievement our district’s students are capable of attaining.

The escalating maintenance and operations costs – in key infrastructure repairs and elevated energy and operations costs – impact the district and take vital funds that could be better directed into supporting student learning and achievement. The new building will save more than $250,000 annually in these expenses.

As the many citizens who have recently toured Auburn High School can attest, the building’s vital systems and infrastructure are past their serviceable life. Repairs do not upgrade the facility, nor give our students the learning environment they need and deserve, but rather only preserve a building and infrastructure woefully in need of replacement.

With construction and borrowing costs at record low levels, the district committed to keeping school taxes flat for the average Auburn

homeowner and eligible state matching funds totally $25 million dollars, inaction this year will only cost more money in the future.

Find us at facebook.com/auburncitizens4schools.

Please vote yes for the bond by Nov. 6.

– Ryan Anderson (chair), Kelly McDonald (treasurer), Cathy deJong (secretary), Auburn Citizens for Schools Executive Committee