It’s our time to improve our school facilities

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor,

     I have worked at Jones Regional Medical Center for the past 14½ years. During that time, I have had the privilege of being involved in building a new hospital, an expansion project and seeing healthcare in our community go from the perceived “band aid” station to a pillar in our entire Jones County area community. It is now the first stop for many to receive healthcare and a great source of community pride!

     There have been many factors that have attributed to this success, but the real magic that I have witnessed is the power of a community, people working together toward the same goal, to provide quality, accessible healthcare.

     While healthcare and education are certainly not the same, there are many parallels. They are an integral part of a strong community’s foundation and are often the reason that people move to a community and the reason they stay. When they are strong, with good staff and facilities, we often see a positive ripple effect into so many other parts in a community.

     Here in Monticello, our school administrators, teachers and staff are top notch. However, our middle school is in dire need of replacement and the plans are in place for a fiscally responsible building project to be constructed and connected on to the current high school.

     Monticello, it is our time! It is our time to take a step forward with our school facilities. It is for our kids, who are our future, the same young people who will grow up and be our caregivers, teachers, business owners and community leaders. It is for our community, the place that we all live, and, I would hope, want to make it be the best that we possibly can.

     In my opinion, nothing is more important right now in our community than improved school facilities. This is why I have volunteered my time for the last 11 months serving on the school facilities committee and will continue to serve on the Vote Yes Committee through Sept. 11, when I am hopeful that we all can share in the reality of a new middle school in Monticello.

     Please join me on Sept. 11 in voting YES!

     Our Superintendent, Dr. Brian Jaeger, and the entire district team have done a great job of providing all of the information about the project! To learn more and get answers to all of your questions, be sure to check out the Monticello School website at www.monticello.k12.ia.us or the Vote Yes Monticello Facebook page. And, keep your eyes on future issues of the Monticello Express!
Sincerely,

Sheila Tjaden

Mom of three Monticello graduates

Dir. of Community Development–JRMC

Proud member of an amazing village–Monticello

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