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Salem voters will decide Tuesday the fate of a new school levy. The topic became a flashpoint last spring when the issue was on the May ballot. It failed by 200-plus votes. A concerted pro-levy movement has been ongoing. Levy money would lead to the construction of a new K-8 school building.
There would be money way down the line should a new high school need built. You have seen the dozens of letters to the editor in support of passage of the levy. You have read our page A1 stories. From our viewpoint, an extraordinary opportunity awaits Salem voters. With passage, the state provides some $37.9 million. The Salem Community Foundation will contribute $10 million. Salem residents would fund $12.5 million of the total cost.
We agree that even a marginal amount of additional tax money impacts some -- fixed-income seniors, for instance -- much more than most residents. We fully understand that. But this is not only too good to be true, it is just too good to pass up. Remember, should the levy fail, that money is gone. Think of the impact that would have on our community that has so much to offer by way or our parks, community center, library, businesses, charitable and social organizations, and foremost, our citizens.
Some district building aren't decaying. They have decayed. Past tense. It is not fair to our students -- the future faces of our community. Think about it. Southeast School was built in 1967. That was the last time a new district building was constructed. Over a half-century has been long enough!
And, we do absolutely respect those against the levy. Some voters oppose a tax increase of any kind. That is absolutely their right. There are those who will not vote for it because they do not have children or grandchildren that would benefit. We, too, can appreciate the well-written and spoken messages of those not wanting to see any current school buildings razed. Our city is blessed with solid citizens bent on preservation. We surely get the nostalgia aspect of it.
None of that should be enough to defeat a levy with so much promise for future generations of Salem students. Children not even born yet will benefit. Salem schools have produced brilliant minds and productive citizens in all walks of life. Granted, that will continue regardless of a levy passage or not. But the feeling here is that progressive thinking in terms of providing the utmost learning environment -- think tech age -- is essential.
It will be intriguing to see the vote count compared to the spring. It will be interesting to see if that orchestrated pro-levy will sway some of those who voted "no" to change their votes. Every political season has a silent majority out there lurking. Those folks may not write letters to the editor. They don't attend forums, rallies and such. But they vote.
As we wrote last May, bright, new and shiny in of itself is not always good. Bright, new and shiny is good when it comes with so much potential and promise. Now is the time to get while the getting is good. That is the reality of this. For the sole reason that it would benefit hundreds of Salem children over the coming years, the levy should be passed Tuesday.