Hawk Urges YES Vote for School Bond, Links To Economic Vitality

While I didn't grow up in McPherson, I have lived and worked here for about 44 years. My knowledge and admiration for this community and its citizens runs deep. My wife and I raised two sons in McPherson. They spent their entire K-12 education in the USD 418 school system and we couldn't be happier with the results. I'm writing to maybe shed a different light into what makes a community great and how important it is to have a solid school system, which includes updated, function facilities.

We have a school bond issue before us and I want to encourage you to consider a YES vote, but likely for a different reason. We all tend to "vote our pocketbooks" (including me as a retired person). You may also say that since you don't have any kids or grandkids in the system it doesn't affect you. But sometimes a person needs to take the longer view. I spent four years on the Chamber of Commerce board and another 29 years on the McPherson Industrial Development Co. (MIDC) board. I've also had the opportunity to study and visit with other communities that have been successful and those that have struggled. Economic vitality centers around quality employment options for its citizens. It basically drives everything. To achieve those employment options, a community the size of McPherson needs three things. Think of it as a three-legged stool. If any of these stool legs break, it affects the entire community. First, it requires a respected medical community (hospital, physicians, etc.). It takes vibrant recreational options (museums, water park, golf courses, etc.). Finally, it needs a robust school system (colleges included). McPherson has been fortunate that we've had great success with these three areas for many years. We're now dangerously close to having a school system lag behind because of failing facilities.

My ask is that all voters take a wider view of the type of community they desire for both their families and for themselves. I know firsthand that quality jobs follow the three attributes listed above. Continuing to allow our school facilities to deteriorate could prove to be shortsighted and eventually be a drain on our town. Please consider voting YES on both proposals to ensure a better community for us and for those who follow.

-Kyle Hawk

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