The students of Ellis County that attend and will attend USD 489 for many years to come need your help. A great education is one of the most important things a child will need to compete in the future. As technology advances the need to be competitive increases. Are we providing all the tools that our children will need to be the best and the brightest? Do we offer the best learning environment? What about classroom sizes? Optimum number of students? All these things and more are needed. It has been 40 years since a new school was constructed.
I recently retired from our local county government as a department head. One of the most important things to keep productivity at the most efficient level is training, proper equipment and facilities. I believe the administration does the very best in spending taxpayer dollars.
The drawback is constant repairs to old and outdated equipment and buildings. In October 2021, I received my Kansas Emergency Substitute Teaching License. This has allowed me to sub-teach over 60 times to date. What an eye-opening experience. The teachers in all the schools do an outstanding job and strive every day to give the students the best educational experience. But the buildings are old, classes are overcrowded, classrooms are too small, windows do not open, and old heating systems make noise. These things and others are not conducive to a proper learning environment.
I truly understand the importance of being frugal with taxpayer monies, but it is also the only place that the income to operate USD 489 comes from. My youngest son went through 489, K – 12 and received an excellent education. I am grateful to those who supported education in the past and ask that you truly look to the future and say yes to providing our children now and in the future the best education and opportunities for advanced learning. They are our future.
Thank you.
William “Bill” Ring, Ellis, retired Ellis County Public Works Director