Share This Article
Normally it’s good to see healthy debate on issues such as the MHSD millage issue. But I believe some people have crossed the line, especially when they allege school board members and administrators have broken the law and are being untruthful. It is evident to this 76-year-old, who was born and raised in Mountain Home, that websites like “Traditional Mountain Home” are allowing input that borders on of slander and even libel. They are doing it by character assassination of people, from educators to citizens who have stepped forward to serve their community as board members.
As a reporter I covered Mountain Home schools for over 40 years and attended nearly every board meeting from 1972 to 2013. While there were controversies, never was the integrity of a school official or board member questioned to the point that they were breaking the law. Some of these websites have insinuated just that, using sensational headlines such as “Secrets, Deception, Untruths” and speculative “conclusions” that include “less than 2 out of 10 kids graduate from Mountain Home High School with a High School level of knowledge.“ This post ends, “It seems to me the Mountain Home School Board is more concerned about special interests than the voters and students interest. I have no other explanation for their conduct.”
Then I say to the person who wrote this, name the so-called special interests and their purpose. Don’t hide behind innuendo and error-filled claims. In my opinion it falls into the same category as the recent mailers that do not identify the person(s) or organization behind them.
We all hate to pay more taxes, but we all have an obligation to keep the Mountain Home that I have lived in and that attracted you to locate here moving forward in a positive manner with civility. Taxpayers from other generations helped me get an education in Mountain Home and now it is time to consider our obligation and do it in a respectful way.
Retired area resident Gerald Gaige said it best in a recent letter, “As a professional commercial real estate appraiser and development consultant for more than 30 years, I have the insight most taxpayers here will not have… I fear those calling for ‘feasibility studies for repair options’ instead of replacement, and I am certain those people have not toured the structure. From my direct observation, the school board has explored all possible options to repair or partially renew the building, but because of the nature of past additions and the condition of underground infrastructure, this is not at all practical. Feasibility lies only with the well-designed redevelopment of the site.” Mr. Gaige notes he has attended every school board meeting for over a year, “… I am impressed by how well our school trustees have managed the creation of the current solution—and I strongly favor the {tax} increase…”
The traditional Mountain Home I know recognizes the need and the plan put forward. I strongly support it.
Jim Bodenhamer
Mountain Home
