Guest Column: Berkshire PRIME Initiative Makes Sense
I am writing this letter in support of the Berkshire PRIME Initiative going on the ballot May 8 that, when passed, will build a new pre K-12 school on the Kent State Geauga Campus. I am a supporter because it makes sense.
It makes sense from a construction cost standpoint. When building something, how often can you spend 45 cents and get $1 worth of value? With the state paying 55 percent of the cost of the new school building, that is exactly what we are receiving as Berkshire School District residents.
Further, it has been researched that not only is this an incredible value, it is the smart way to spend our taxpayers’ money. We know this because the state has studied our current facilities and a private architectural firm has audited what the state study found. Both entities came to the same conclusion: Building new makes better sense than renovating.
It makes even more sense because, if you do not build, you do not realize the unprecedented opportunity offered by the partnership with Kent State. Kent State is providing us the land for $1 per year to locate our new school on their property.
The benefits we receive by building at Kent State are many. The first is that our interested students can receive an Associates Degree while in high school from Kent State for free. This is roughly a $12,000 value in today’s dollars. Upon high school graduation, an 18-year-old, holding both a high school diploma and an Associates Degree, can see their advanced credits earned transferred 100 percent to any state college in Ohio or the student can continue on at Kent State at a Berkshire graduate preferred tuition rate.
Additionally, Kent State will offer training to Berkshire teachers free of charge. None of the above is possible if we stay in our existing buildings and do nothing. All of the above becomes a reality when we build a win-win situation with Kent State.
It makes sense because it offers benefits to those students looking to go directly into the workforce. The planning committee had the foresight to include local businesses in the development of programs with the goal of creating a more employable, job-ready graduate. The local jobs these businesses are looking to fill are necessary, offer plenty of room for advancement, and have very high earning potential.
Learning the skills these jobs require while still in high school means that our interested students will never be classified as entry level and that a comfortable wage, earned close to home, can be achieved immediately upon graduation.
It makes sense because it will help our district attract and keep good families. Good families are attracted to good schools. Whether it is a farm in Thompson or Troy, or a century home in Burton Village, we need these families as our neighbors, buying and maintaining property in our district. The PRIME Initiative and the opportunities it will present ensure that will happen.
It makes sense because the criticisms I have heard seem unwarranted. Concerns that have been printed as to what will happen with the old high school should be calmed when you consider that Burton village has a track record of doing the right thing in the past and will continue to do the right thing with the existing buildings.
The curriculum is neither experimental nor unproven. It still has to teach to state standards of achievement.
Berkshire is not always asking for money. The average school district in Ohio goes to the ballot every 3 years for additional operating funds. Berkshire has done this once in 26 years. We are not jumping into this. The research has been done.
This is so much more than just a new school building. It is a once in a lifetime chance to make a lasting difference.
Former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes used to talk about taking the opportunity when you can to pay it forward. What he meant by this is you can seldom truly pay someone back for the positive things they have done for you, but you can always help the next person in line and pay it forward.
This idea certainly applies to the PRIME Initiative. Somebody helped us to get where we are today. It is now our turn. We should be looking at this levy not so much as a tax, but more as a chance to pay it forward and help future generations of Berkshire students to receive the head start they deserve.
I encourage Berkshire School District voters to attend a PRIME meeting, get the facts and see why so many of us are excited about this possibility. Do just that and I am certain you will be joining us and voting “Yes” on May 8 to make Berkshire’s better future a reality.
Todd Hornak
Burton Township
