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Finn B. Gerstell: New school needed

We need a new elementary school.

Anyone disputing the need for more capacity within our district should tally the current enrollment numbers and then look at the projected growth.

As a parent of an 8-year-old daughter, I see the effects of an overburdened school on a daily basis. Kids, who are pushed into modular classrooms, cramped classrooms and disappearing spaces for things like art and music, are readily apparent walking through her school.



I have heard people out loud wondering why there is a proposal to build a new high school, when our need is elementary space. Replacing the high school is only one piece of the proposal to create a new elementary school by “backfilling” the space created in moving the middle school, which is also overcrowded, while also making programming improvements to all schools.

This is a “lessons learned” plan that has been thoroughly vetted by the district and chosen because of its ability to allow for the continued growth of the district well into the future. Although I understand the concerns of using additional taxes to fund the proposed plan, I believe this is the only way we can continue to benefit from the outstanding education our children enjoy in this community.



As such, my wife and I will be voting “yes” on the proposed bond and mill levy in November. We encourage everyone to visit yes2steamboatschools.com to learn more and decide how you will vote.

Finn B. Gerstell

Steamboat Springs


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