Save Williams Elementary School

Dear Members of the Three Rivers School Board and Right Sizing Committee,
Thank you for taking on the difficult job of budget cutting. No decision you make will be “good”, as you must try to find the least painful alternatives. My hope is that you will consider the reasons below and decide not to close Williams School. The historical and emotional reasons are many and powerful, but the following are what I believe are “reasonable” reasons.
1) It is clear to me, and to everyone I’ve talked to, that closing Williams School is like killing the proverbial “goose that lays golden eggs” for the District. Sue Morgan recently submitted to your committee the “Williams Elementary School Attendance Survey Results” which indicates not only that Williams School generates $339K/yr OVER its own operating budget, but that the District could (see #2 below) loose $469K/yr if it closes.
The architect says Williams School needs $1.2 million for “repairs” over the next 10 years. The school should generate almost $3.4 million OVER its own budget during that time period. If the District allocates a third of Williams’ own money back, there is plenty to complete the recommended improvements. Is it fair to close a school that is more than paying its own way?
2) Generally, Williams folks are rugged individualists. Most live here not just because they like it, but because by nature they have the “toughness” needed to live in an isolated box canyon. Your committee should take seriously what the survey says: “approximately 50% of our current students will be lost from Three Rivers School District.” 50% (45 students) may be high, but if only 16 students go elsewhere (which I believe is a reasonable number), the closure would not be a gain. Nobody really knows how many current Williams School parents will homeschool or find some local alternative before they will bus their small children away from our valley. Beyond being an additional financial reason, this second reason recognizes the unique nature of our demographic.
3) Also unique to Williams are qualified, local, and invested (parents, family, neighbors, friends) people who can make the needed repairs at the school. At the meeting held at Williams School Jan.16th there were able and invested people who indicated their willingness to give their time and effort to expedite the needed improvements. By the way, the “need” for certain improvements recommended by the architect is also debatable; such as paving the parking lot or repairing the basement. Before closing the school, it seems fair and reasonable to offer those most affected by the closure an opportunity to facilitate their own solution. These are the people you want supporting the school.
In summary, as I see it, closing Williams Elementary will unnecessarily cut off the District’s financial resources, probably even adding a financial burden, while sending valuable human resources to be invested elsewhere. Please allow the folks of Williams to have the school they deserve.
Pastor Rob Culton – Williams Community Church

To Whom It May Concern,

As a tax payer, parent of young children and member of
the Williams’ Community I am outraged that the
Williams Elementary school is being threatened with
closure.

The Williams Elementary School is a vital institution
in our town. Williams depends on the school for the
education of our children, after school programs (when
there is funding) meals, adult continuing education,
as community meeting place, i.e. town council meetings
as well as jobs for our teachers and support
personnel. The school also provides services to
home-schoolers, whose parents are taxpayers. These
services compliment the home schooling as well as
serve as a base to unite the community of Williams.

A small town like ours depends on a small school where
the kids and parents trust and know the school staff.
Parent involvement is also of the utmost importance.
That involvement will certainly drop in Williams is
moved to Applegate.

I understand there are estimates on the amount of work
the building and grounds “need”. It seems to me we can
do with out a paved parking lot, an upgrade to the
basement and it seems the gym may be fine as it
stands. I for one would rather have a school with no
gym versus no school in Williams at all.

If there is a merger with the Applegate school, I for
one, as well as many parents I know, will opt for home
schooling instead of busing or driving our children to
Applegate.

Please Keep Our School Open,

Elizabeth Baum

January 17, 2008

To Whom It May Concern @ Three Rivers School District:
As a parent of two young children and a community
member of Williams, Oregon I am very concerned about
the possible closing of the Williams Elementary
School.

The Williams Elementary School represents a major
resource to the densely populated Williams Valley. In
addition to providing a home for our beloved school,
it also provides a community meeting place for an
infinite amount of local groups. Many dedicated local
employees and volunteers give time and energy to our
schoolhouse and I believe will continue to do so for a
very long time.

If the Williams schoolhouse were to close its doors it
would be a great shame. I am sure it is a much better
and more viable location to preserve than Applegate.
If it closes we will probably home school.

Please preserve funding for the Williams School.

Sincerely,

Ryan Dolan

This is directed to the governing body who will ultimately decide whether Williams Elementary School will stay open or will close,

We moved to Williams from central California in 2005. Among the most attractive reasons for our choice of Williams was Williams Elementary School. We do not have school age children but we are fully aware of what kind of a community would foster such a wonderful school.
One of the first social activities we attended in Williams was the annual Christmas Program at the school and (along with the annual Strings Concert) have never missed one since.
Our town has already lost its public library, which sorely affects our local students’ ability to continue after school learning. The library afforded computer access to some who do not have it at home. Williams Elementary stayed open extra hours last summer with volunteerism and donated moneys to ‘fill the library gap’.
We can’t even imagine what it would be like to have both the library and the school closed. We need a community that will welcome and encourage young parents to stay here and grow their families as well as their businesses. I fear many will move away rather than bus their children on icy winter roads.
We have opened our antiques store in Williams and have loved meeting the local young families who live and work and raise their families in a nurturing small community atmosphere.
We hope you will consider the negative impact closing our school would have on our community.

Sincerely,
Susan Bondesen & Brian Barton

Dear Joann,

I am writing because I am heart-sick at the thought of the closure of
the Williams School. Even though my son, Sam, graduated last year, I
value the Williams School as a mainstay of our community and offer my
wholehearted support to guarantee its future existence. I have friends
with children in the school now, and I know they are also fighting hard
to keep it open. These are parents who had previously home-schooled
their children and are very happy with their children’s experience at
the Williams School.

Eliminating the Williams School would radically change the face of this
community. It would be taking away its very soul. The Williams School
serves many underprivileged children. I have always been impressed with
the way the staff discreetly offers clothing to those students who need
it. Even more admirable, is the fact that one never knows who these
students are. Each student at Williams is treated equally. There are
expectations for excellence, for all. There is a sense of pride and
camaraderie among the students. Having a school in the area that values
each child equally, teaches those children to value themselves. It
gives them courage and confidence to succeed. It also teaches them to
give back to their community. What does it teach children to take that
school away from them? That their school isn’t important enough? That
they aren’t important enough? All many of these children have is the
school. Their home-lives may be poverty-stricken. Their parents may
not be available to them. At the Williams school, they find cheerful,
mature adults welcoming them and cheering them on, from Joann who greets
each child with a smile and kind word, to Wes, the custodian, who jokes
with the children, making them laugh, to the caring teachers’ assistants
and food staff, who know the children by name.

There are stellar teachers at Williams Elementary. Mr. Morgan is a
master teacher and has affected thousands of children’s lives. My sons’
cousin, who also went to Williams 20 years ago, cites Mr. Morgan as the
person who helped him get over his fear of math and succeed in school.
Mrs. Bingham has a reputation as a strict, no-nonsense teacher, but she
also knows how to have fun and truly values the children’s
accomplishments. When the 5th grade team, which my son was part of,
won First Place in the District-wide Battle of the Books last year, Mrs.
Bingham cried tears of pride for the children. What child and parent
doesn’t appreciate that? In addition, without Mrs. Bingham’s support,
Sam and others would not have gone to the wonderful SOU Academy last
summer, nor been recommended for the People to People Leadership
Program. Sam will leave for Washington, D.C., to participate in this
program for a week, in April.

The Williams School has strong community support. The Music Program has
always filled the house for its benefit concerts. Parents, friends, and
community members gather to applaud what the children have learned. We
are there together enjoying the music and supporting our children. To
me, this is the definition of community. The after-school program has
provided activities for children who cannot easily get into Grants Pass.
The “hat ladies” are remarkable women who selflessly knit hats for every
single student, just so those that cannot afford a hat will not stand
out. My mother has been part of this group and has made good friends
with other women in the group. My mother has also participated in the
Smart Program, and was overcome with emotion when her reader began to
bond with her and make progress. To me, this is the definition of
community. My husband has gone into the school to teach art classes,
croquet and petanque. He beams every time a child still recognizes him
and says, “Hi, Mr. Gostnell!”. For the past four years, we have thrown
a Halloween party for the students in my son’s grade. We feel a
connection with all of the kids in his class, because these are the
children of our community.

This sums up my sentiment; these are the children of our community and
to close the Williams Elementary School would be a disservice to them
and to all of us. How many children will now fall through the cracks
because the Williams School is not here? The Williams School may
currently have 90 or so children, but how many children through the
years has it encouraged and helped shape? How many more will it serve
over the years? There are currently many toddlers and newborns in our
community. These children, as well as the ones currently enrolled in
Williams Elementary, are no less valuable than any others. They deserve
a school.

Please sign us up for whatever you need to bring this point home.

Sincerely,

Kiersta, Mark and Sam Gostnell

Dear Joann,

I am writing because I am heart-sick at the thought of the closure of
the WIlliams School. Even though my son, Sam, graduated last year, I
value the Williams School as a mainstay of our community and offer my
wholehearted support to guarantee its future existence. I have friends
with children in the school now, and I know they are also fighting hard
to keep it open. These are parents who had previously home-schooled
their children and are very happy with their children’s experience at
the Williams School.

Eliminating the Williams School would radically change the face of this
community. It would be taking away its very soul. The Williams School
serves many underprivileged children. I have always been impressed with
the way the staff discreetly offers clothing to those students who need
it. Even more admirable, is the fact that one never knows who these
students are. Each student at Williams is treated equally. There are
expectations for excellence, for all. There is a sense of pride and
camaraderie among the students. Having a school in the area that values
each child equally, teaches those children to value themselves. It
gives them courage and confidence to succeed. It also teaches them to
give back to their community. What does it teach children to take that
school away from them? That their school isn’t important enough? That
they aren’t important enough? All many of these children have is the
school. Their home-lives may be poverty-stricken. Their parents may
not be available to them. At the Williams school, they find cheerful,
mature adults welcoming them and cheering them on, from Joann who greets
each child with a smile and kind word, to Wes, the custodian, who jokes
with the children, making them laugh, to the caring teachers’ assistants
and food staff, who know the children by name.

There are stellar teachers at Williams Elementary. Mr. Morgan is a
master teacher and has affected thousands of children’s lives. My sons’
cousin, who also went to Williams 20 years ago, cites Mr. Morgan as the
person who helped him get over his fear of math and succeed in school.
Mrs. Bingham has a reputation as a strict, no-nonsense teacher, but she
also knows how to have fun and truly values the children’s
accomplishments. When the 5th grade team, which my son was part of,
won First Place in the District-wide Battle of the Books last year, Mrs.
Bingham cried tears of pride for the children. What child and parent
doesn’t appreciate that? In addition, without Mrs. Bingham’s support,
Sam and others would not have gone to the wonderful SOU Academy last
summer, nor been recommended for the People to People Leadership
Program. Sam will leave for Washington, D.C., to participate in this
program for a week, in April.

The Williams School has strong community support. The Music Program has
always filled the house for its benefit concerts. Parents, friends, and
community members gather to applaud what the children have learned. We
are there together enjoying the music and supporting our children. To
me, this is the definition of community. The after-school program has
provided activities for children who cannot easily get into Grants Pass.
The “hat ladies” are remarkable women who selflessly knit hats for every
single student, just so those that cannot afford a hat will not stand
out. My mother has been part of this group and has made good friends
with other women in the group. My mother has also participated in the
Smart Program, and was overcome with emotion when her reader began to
bond with her and make progress. To me, this is the definition of
community. My husband has gone into the school to teach art classes,
croquet and petanque. He beams every time a child still recognizes him
and says, “Hi, Mr. Gostnell!”. For the past four years, we have thrown
a Halloween party for the students in my son’s grade. We feel a
connection with all of the kids in his class, because these are the
children of our community.

This sums up my sentiment; these are the children of our community and
to close the Williams Elementary School would be a disservice to them
and to all of us. How many children will now fall through the cracks
because the Williams School is not here? The Williams School may
currently have 90 or so children, but how many children through the
years has it encouraged and helped shape? How many more will it serve
over the years? There are currently many toddlers and newborns in our
community. These children, as well as the ones currently enrolled in
Williams Elementary, are no less valuable than any others. They deserve
a school.

Please sign us up for whatever you need to bring this point home.

Sincerely,

Kiersta, Mark and Sam Gostnell

School Board Members;

i have been a resident of the Williams Valley since 1975. My 3 children attended Williams School + received a fine education with much care + concern, went on to attend college; 3 of my grandchildren also attended our local school + now are middle school students; 1 little grandson is a 1st grade student + is presently enrolled in Williams School. Throughout the
years, i have been continually impressed with the unique opportunities that children are offered in our little school + the continued support + efforts of the community in the education of our children.

The issues raised by the right-sizing committe seem to me to be somewhat manufactured. The Williams School building has been examined by an architect who found the structure sound + in no need of repair. There is no need to pave the parking lot (at a projected cost of $62000) or replace the basement (projected cost: $250000). Williams School received $184000 from the
state as small school allowance, because it is a small school + at least 10 miles from any other school. Applegate school does not qualify for these moneys: it is too close to Ruch School. Although i do not advocate the closure of either of our local small schools, it is my belief that the trauma of busing small children long distances should be considered in your decision. Applegate students live way closer to Ruch School than Williams students do to Applegate.

The meeting last week here in our valley was attended by more than 100 concerned residents + is indicative of the community support + involvement in the education of our children. Our playground was donated + built by volunteers. The SMART program, in which volunteers come read with the children + the Special Friends program powered entirely by Williams residents help to enrich the education of our students with no cost to the school district. Many + other volunteers offer one-time classes in their own interest or specialty to our students, enriching their lives + giving children a unique sense of community not to be found in our fast-paced world today.

The birth rate in the Williams Valley is high, which indicates an
ongoing need for a local school. We want to be treated fairly in the Williams Valley community. If we were to keep all our state support + small school allotment, we would easily be able to maintain our historic school building. Also, concerned residents
have offered to assist in any construction that might be needed; now or in the future.

Please consider other options to closure of our small rural schools in your efforts to manage the budget. The impact on young lives is too large a price to pay. Let our children have the experience of a caring concerned community before they grow up + emerge into the impersonal world that awaits them.

SAVE WiLLiAMS SCHOOL!

Sincerely;

Terry Harrison
Williams
Oregon
97544
USA