Dear Editor, As a lifelong resident of Mt. Vernon, a graduate of Mt.

Vernon ISD, a former MVISD teacher for 34 years, and a parent of a former student of MVISD, I am writing to express my support for the passage of the Mt. Vernon ISD proposed school bonds.

In today’s world, with school shootings occurring on a regular basis, I am very concerned about the safety and security of our students, teachers, and campus. Proposition A will address those concerns by moving the entrance for the middle school to the north parking lot, creating one entry point to that campus, renovating the administration building to close off the mall breezeway area, and adding a fine arts building and ag building to enclose the campus from the CATE building of the high school.

The proposed bond will also address other needs created by the age of some of the facilities, along with the development of new programs and increased population.

For example, the roof of the auditorium leaks when it rains, the electrical wiring is 30 to 40 years old and now has a short causing the stage lights to randomly turn on, and the lights get so hot the bulbs break.

Originally built in 1978, the ag building has roof damage, poor ventilation, and poor plumbing, and there are no dressing rooms for students.

The band hall, also built 45 years ago and updated in 2010, is so small that the band cannot fit into one room for rehearsals due to the growth of the program. Groups are currently practicing in closets.

In addition, the baseball/ softball fields do not drain adequately, resulting this year in missing the first two weeks of practice and scrimmages at home, and the first home district game had to be played on Winnsboro’s new field.

When it rains, home games will continue to have to be rescheduled or played on other fields. Also, our present tennis court was built in 1974 and is in terrible shape.

These are just some of the examples of problems with the facilities that are being addressed in bond proposals.

Because I am a homeowner over the age of 65, there will be a $0 impact on my taxes if this bond issue is passed. I want to make a special appeal to those of you who are in my shoes. A vote for the bond is a vote for the kids and for our town.

I am not insensitive to the economic impact that any bond issue has on the residents of our school district, but I believe that now is the best time possible to vote for the passage of both propositions. Right now, Texas leads the nation in job creation, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, whose chair recently said that the last 24 months of uninterrupted job growth shows the strength of the Texas economy and the ongoing economic opportunities for Texans.

In addition, the Texas Senate has just passed a bill 31-0 that will raise the homestead exemption to $70,000 for everyone and $100,000 for those over 65 or disabled.

It will also raise the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000 and reduce the inventory tax bill by 20 percent. While this bill is not yet passed by the full legislature, it is likely to pass because property tax relief was named as the number one priority of the session from the first day, both by legislators and the governor. Financially, there will be no better time to pass this bond.

I am and always have been fully committed to our school in every aspect, and I have supported and will support every bond issue that I know has a long-term positive effect on the quality of facilities needed to promote the best allaround education of our kids, just as those voters did when our present campus was built in 1966. I hope I have given you some information that will convince you to vote yes.

Minnie Birdsong Mount Vernon, TX.