Monticello’s future generations need a new elementary school

To the Editor,

   I have had the pleasure and honor to serve as elementary principal for both Shannon and Carpenter schools for nine years almost 20 years ago. If you think the education of young children has no effect on the community, think again. We are educating young people to become adults who very likely might be your next plumber, lawyer, carpenter, pastor, policeman, mechanic, cell phone dealer, etc.

   The problem with the current configuration of schools is that the principal must run between two buildings. In my experience, when I was at Shannon the Carpenter secretary would call and say she needed me immediately to diffuse an unexpected situation. When I was at Carpenter, the Shannon secretary would do the same. Those phone calls happened on a weekly basis. Students’, teachers’, and parents’ needs are best met when the principal, who as the authority to make decisions, is always present in the building. Our community needs one elementary building. Please support the upcoming school bond proposal.

Dr. Janine S. Wahl

Monticello, Iowa