Why not us?

As someone who has dedicated 38 years to BSISD- with the privilege of serving 35 of those years at Big Spring High School-i want to take this opportunity to promote our upcoming bond election. Given the honor to serve BSHS for over three decades, I would hope that it gives me some credibility to address voters on both sides of the bond proposal-those in favor and those against.

While many individuals are making comments based on their four-year journey at BSHS or on memories of their children’s time here, it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges we face due to its age; I bring a unique perspective shaped by not only my extensive tenure on this campus but also by watching my own kids walk the halls of Big Spring High.

BSHS indeed boasts a rich history and undeniable charm, so I completely understand the nostalgic and sentimental attachment to our building. Over the years we have celebrated numerous successes, with countless students graduating from BSHS and going on to achieve remarkable accomplishments in their lives. As an educator, there’s nothing more fulfilling than witnessing the growth and achievements of our students, even long after they’ve left our halls; however, it’s important to recognize that while the quality of education is arguably better now than it was then, the conditions of our facilities have drastically changed over thirty plus years. Please allow me to share observations from my years of service, shedding light on visible and unseen changes that have evolved over time.

When you drive around the block and look at BSHS, you will see a beautiful building with a great deal of character. It is a structure built Steer Strong in 1953-over 70 years ago. Our building has notably been remodeled twice in 1967 and again in 2012. If you just focus on the brick and mortar, I agree with those thinking Dear

Ol Big Spring High has another 70 years; however, if you look beyond the brick and mortar and in more detail, one glaring safety concern is that we have 30 entry points leaving our1 ,200 students and

staff vulnerable. Blueprints in 1953 did not consider the importance of secured schools as blueprints do today. Although our district has diligently addressed these points of entry, it is hard to keep security in place when you have students needing to leave and enter the building multiple times a day.

Like many of you, I love the external design from 1953 but times and priorities are different in 2024.

After 70 years of existence, allow me to describe a few concerns with issues that are beyond the visible exterior, and these unseen issues truly demand

our attention as well. I realize there is a contingency believing that educators make the true difference in a quality education, and not the facility. I

wholeheartedly agree with those assessments, and proudly claim that BSHS has excellent teachers who pour their lives into their students. The mission, goals, and desires have not changed. The big changes today are the constant daily interruptions to quality instruction due to 70 years of deterioration to the infrastructure. As we all know, the outside appearance of a person, a house, or a job, isn’t worth much if the infrastructure isn’t sound. While our

maintenance crews work diligently trying to “fix” all of these issues, the fact is that the issues are occurring at a faster pace. As a result, our M/0 budget is being overtaken with work requests at the High School while possibly hurting other buildings in the district that need attention. Example, today we have

over 15 rooms that will have no A/C for three weeks. Why? ... because of

busted pipes, cold water cannot get to our A/C units. Consequently, our

library will be filled to capacity with multiple classes seeking relief. It is no

different in the winter when hot water will not reach units due to busted pipes. Other relocations occur when having to treat mold, busted plaster, and

collapsing ceiling tiles due to moisture and steam from leaks. The reality of

the situation is once one thing is fixed it creates an issue with something else in the building. We have had no other choice but to try to make the best of

each of these unforeseen setbacks and Steeron! Each day we choose to

make no excuses and continue to get The Work done. Our staff and students have shown unprecedented resilience and have been amazing while working through the “outside” circumstances.

Finally, this leads to my question ... Why not Big Spring? Why not invest in the future of our community? Why not tell our students and staff they deserve

better? As the Crossroads of West Texas, let’s consider these three “Rs” as a community: Let’s Recalculate our progress, Reimagine our future, and

Rediscover our purpose so the thousands that pass through this little piece of heaven we call Big Spring will perceive a community that values its

progress and invests in the well-being of its members.

I urge our community to consider the importance of this bond election and the impact it will have on the future of BSISD. Together, let’s choose to

prioritize the needs of our students and staff, ensuring they have the

resources and facilities necessary to thrive.

Respectfully,