To the editor:

Proposition C is critically important to everyone that lives in the Mehlville School District.

Consider where we stand compared to other St. Louis County school districts: Next to last in the amount of money we spend per pupil and next to last in the average starting salary for teachers. Next to last in these critical categories is unacceptable. We should demand better for our students. While we rank low in these categories, we rank nearer to the top in student performance. Without investing more in our schools, however, our students will no longer be able to compete with students from those other districts.

Proposition C is an investment in our district and community.

Through the community’s vision — encapsulated in COMPASS I and II — Proposition C will allow our children to receive a 21st century education through up-to-date classroom technology, school security improvements and the construction of high school performing arts and technology centers. In all, Proposition C will fund $94 million of facility improvements, significant building improvements at the middle and elementary schools, construction of a new middle school and the advancement of tuition free, full day kindergarten and early learning classroom space at each elementary school. This proposal will also make teacher salaries more competitive so that our district can attract and retain highly qualified teachers.

Proposition C is a real opportunity for our kids, but it’s also a tremendous opportunity for our community. This proposal will help us protect the investment we have all made in our homes. And the technology and facility improvements that Proposition C will support will put more than 2,500 people to work right here.

From the beginning of our community engagement process, our focus has been on kids. It’s time we realize this issue extends beyond the boundaries of political parties and self-serving demagogues who took a previous oath to serve and who have now come back to pillage the same entity that comprises this south county community, our public schools, our children, our teachers and our educational leaders.

Now is our chance. Next to last just isn’t good enough for our kids or our community. Please support the future of the Mehlville School District and vote “yes” on Proposition C on Nov. 2.

Jim Schibig and Jeff Clobes

Committee to Restore the Pride co-chairs