I grew up in the City of St. Louis. While I love my city (and my Cardinals), I chose to come to Marshall in the mid-1970s, to seek a teaching degree from Missouri Valley College. I passed up acceptance packages from numerous east coast colleges because Marshall made an indelible impression on me as a community who really cared about its people.

I was able to be in the classroom setting as a freshman in "Ed 100," then practicums as a sophomore, and student teaching as a senior, all within the Marshall Public School system. In the 35 years that have passed -- 31 of which I have been a teacher in the Marshall system -- not much has changed with our school facilities that are still in use today. They have served our community well, and have had their life expectancy extended with the school improvements of 1988-1989, but it is time to move to a more enlightened level and build a new elementary complex.

I also have had the privilege of raising two sons in the Marshall system, and came to know each building very well as they moved from one grade level attendance center to the next. I well remember the buckets hurriedly placed in hallways during downpours, the looks of concern at black outgrowth on walls of classrooms, and cramped spaces as classroom sizes grew from year to year. We don't even have to discuss the "temporary" classrooms that so many students have had to endure!

One of the most sought-after pieces of information considered when a family is deciding to move to a new community (or move back) is, "How will the existing school system enhance, enrich, and extend my child's learning experience?" It would greatly benefit our fine community to be proactive in building a new elementary complex that would be appealing to not only the wonderful families who have supported our district for many years, but also to reach out to families considering a move to our area, thereby strengthening our economic base.

Anyone who has looked at our courthouse renovations lately can only feel a sense of renewed hope, pride, and spirit in our community. This landmark structure symbolizes Marshall as a forward-moving community. Now is the time to bring our school facilities into that same energized perspective.

Within our proposed bond issue, it is imperative to seize an opportunity with one-time help from our federal government. If we don't pass our bond issue, some other district will greatly benefit from our loss. Marshall can truly be the "community that cares" by passing the bond issue on the November ballot for a new elementary school complex.

Editor's note: This letter appeared in The Marshall Democrat-News Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.