I have a dream that one day this Community will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "Neosho, where Excellence in Education is the Norm."
I have a dream that one day on the rolling hills of Southwest Missouri the children of former graduates and the children of new transplants will be able to sit down together inside a modern education facility, second to none.
I have a dream that one day even the Neosho R-5, a District struggling through economic tough times, will be transformed into an oasis of educational opportunity for all people.
I have a dream that my two children will one day live in the District where they will raise my Grandchildren in the most modern facilities anywhere.
I have a dream today.
As I ran for the Neosho R-5 School Board, I made no secret of my desire to pursue a Bond Issue to improve our inadequate educational facilities. When I graduated from Neosho High School, in 1987 (25 years ago this month), the building was over crowded. A few small additions have been made to the building, in the past 25 years, but by and large it is the same as when I walked those halls. The student population has grown greatly, in this time. There are hundreds more students now, than back in 1987.
Our entire District has grown, exponentially, in the past 30 years.
At our most recent School Board meeting, we voted to add Mobile Classrooms to the Middle School and Central Elementary Campuses. Mobile Classrooms are NOT acceptable for our children. They do not contribute to the educational environment AND they are an expense on our operating budget. Real brick and mortar buildings appreciate in value, not so with these structures. They are unsafe in severe weather, as well.
My daughter, Chelsah, is a Sophomore at Neosho High School. She is active in Debate, Track, and Cheerleading. Her activities have led us to travel across the region. What I have seen smacked me upside the head!!!!!! New schools and wonderful state of the art facilities, in Webb City, Carthage, Monett, Republic, Nixa, Willard, Ozark, Bolivar, Joplin, Clever, Carl Junction.......should I continue or do you see we are falling behind?
Last evening, I was conversing with a dear friend of mine, whom I respect a great deal. We talked in depth, about our Schools and the many needs we face. I expressed my desire to present a bond issue to the Voters, early in 2013, and my vision for first class innovative facilities. He replied, "Steve, Neosho may not be ready to dream that big".
I have thought about this remark all night. I ask, "Why?" Why are the people of Neosho not ready to Dream Big? Why do we seem to have such poor infrastructure, not only in our schools, but across our entire community? For way too long, these items have been looked upon as an expense..........well, I respectfully disagree.....NEW SCHOOLS ARE NOT AN EXPENSE - THEY ARE AN INVESTMENT.
I refer your attention to the list of communities above, who HAVE invested in their schools, show me ONE community that has had less retail, industrial, and residential growth (on a per capita basis) than Neosho? They have all had a lot MORE positive growth, because people want to live in progressive communities!
It IS TIME. It IS NEOSHO'S TIME! Interest rates are at ALL TIME HISTORIC LOWS! We NEED new Schools and I don't think anyone can reasonably disagree on that point. I know how tough times are, but I also know this...............
Somewhere, in China and Indonesia, young people are working hard to show us up. This is a matter of not only investing in Neosho's Future, but America's Future.
I have a Dream Today. My Dream is for you to join me in supporting our youth, who will someday be America's Leaders, in having access to the best facilities anywhere. Let's grow Neosho and invest in OUR FUTURE! Let's show people what it means to have WILDCAT PRIDE! The time is now!
If we can't agree, let's at least be civil............................
