Milan schools are looking great

I hope all of you have the chance to check out my article on the summer-long renovations that are currently wrapping up at Paddock, Symons and Milan Middle School.

http://heritage.com/articles/2010/09/02/milan_news_leader/news/doc4c7d77ac3a2c8361505521.txt

Superintendent Girbach gave me an extensive tour last week, and his assertion that most everything is new other than the cinder block walls seems very obviously true.

He said his goal in all of this was to modernize the buildings, via the millage funds approved in February of 2009, so that the district can stop spending such an egregious amount of operating funds simply maintaining failing infrastructure every year.

This way, as Girbach said, these dollars can stay in the classrooms where they belong.

He said these refurbished school buildings are something the children attending them can be proud of, and that they are safe and secure and will be ready to open September 7.

That said, Girbach also mentioned the district will hold a community open house this year in addition to the parental open house, so that all who are interested can see for themselves how their tax dollars are being spent.

Expect a date for the community open house to be announced soon. Girbach said it will likely be in October.

Renovations to the high school and the construction of a new team building will take place next summer.

Pitching CARES and sinking fund

I attended my son's third grade music program last night at Pleasant Ridge Elementary. Loved the rain song, the Native American dance, the good ole states song. ("Alabama and Alaska, Arizona...). I was happy to see that the principal, Sheila Light, stood to welcome parents and plug the CARES and sinking fund millage, facing voters next Tues, May 5. Though, I was confused why she didn't tell parents to vote, "yes and yes." She did remind them to vote and read up on the two issues. (See the story I wrote in last week's paper or online at salinereporter.com for ALL the details or go to the school Web site for Mr. Graden's plug and blog stuff). At the opening day ceremony for SAYB&S little league baseball Saturday, Graden and Parks and Rec's Sunshine Lambert (does she have the best name ever?) stood in front of families and players to remind voters how important it was that they vote YES on the two ballot measures. CARES grants helped pay for 3 or 4 of the ball fields, Movies in the Park, Rec on the Go and more. CARES funds (that only cost the taxpayer a few hundred bucks a year - a few bucks a day) pay for the senior center, school pool and stage and will hopefully support a new teen center. Some dude standing behind me at the baseball ceremony said, "that's inappropriate for them to bring politics here today." What do you think?