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The current November election has many important ramifications and though it's not a presidential election year, getting your vote in this year has a lot to do with our Steamboat life and how it will be affected for many years to come. Let's vote with this paradise in mind and the future of "life in paradise." We all benefit.

The ballot questions of Steamboat Springs School District's bond Referendum 3D and the mill levy override 3C require the fiscal support of property tax payers and renters. Its outcome is determined by all who get out and vote in this school district.

The school district has said it's time to build a new school, get rid of temporary buildings and provide a better salary package for our teachers. We need to listen to them. We need to trust their professional talent. They have only one agenda: They want what is best for the children in our community.

A burning question and concern for parents of current students at both schools is the displacement of the students while the school is being built. Selfishly, one would ask, "Do I want my student's elementary year interrupted for a new building?" There are many unknowns when moving the whole school to a temporary site. Where will recess occur? How do I drop off and pick up? Where will Tammy and Marsha be when we need them most? Even with these questions, the answer remains: Yes, it is important to move forward sooner than later with these improvements. As they say, "no pain, no gain." We both can speak closely to the Soda Creek condition because we have a combined history at Soda Creek of 15 years, and by the time we're out, it'll be 20 years! We have enjoyed many years at Soda Creek with an outstanding community of educators and parents. We trust the district with our children.

In fact, these educators deserve a hand for a job well done in conditions that are arguably below standard. The columns in the classrooms block the view of teachers, there are traffic safety and parking issues. The ventilation is poor, unless the windows are open. When they can't be open, the heat in some wings has melted lunches.

Not only have many children outgrown the playground equipment by fourth grade, they get splinters when they use the equipment.

All of these are issues that cannot be ignored much longer. The time is now to solve these problems. If it is not now, there is a greater chance that the tax dollars will go toward something else. Put our children first with our tax-paying dollars because everyone benefits when we put children and education first.

By voting "yes" for the new school at Soda Creek, the improvements to classroom space at Strawberry Park and a competitive salary package for teachers, the elementary kids will be given a future to look forward to. In many studies it is shown that children reach a new potential when given facilities that are designed for current teaching methods and give children a sense of safety and comfort. Let's give these kids, our kids, a future that we can be proud of as a community.

Mary Jenkins and Julie Ernst