There's still no free lunch - someone always pays

To the Editor,

Please believe that I am all for our youngsters receiving all the school tools that they need for success. Evidence of this is shown by the Haverling Marching Band's brandnew uniforms; the reconditioning of the field for the varsity football team; and the extension of one year of begindergarten for the tots. All of these aforementioned matters were accomplished by my pleading for them.

We are on the precipice of a $16,500,000.00 Building Project. Being on the Building and Grounds Committee for over a year, I am wellacquainted with the needs of the school and good stewardship.

First of all, be wary when some person says to you: "It's all the State's fault. It's their mandates." Answer: all schools can apply for waivers. Example, we here in Bath do not need the primary school gym addition for $825,000.00. They aren't having any league play-offs there that I know of. In the good months, have we so soon forgotten the Jane Perry-led state-of-the-art playground at VEW? If we add double the gym space, we must add double the phys. ed. teachers.

Has anyone heard of having half the primary school students in a particular gym class do an activity in the middle of the gym that involves running etc., and put some of the others to the side areas for stationary in-place exercises? Just an example of creative planning and scheduling as opposed breaking out brick walls.

We are in declining enrollment by almost 300 kids. Why the big move to expand?

Lastly, here is one for you to ponder: Should the retrofitting of elem./middle school locker rooms #157, #153, #154 cost $561,000.00? (Over a half million?)

Should a gang restroom for each sex (rather than single-use rooms) be considered to the tune of $94,000.00? First of all, I do not believe in gang restrooms. Sorry.

In closing, there are no free lunches, someone is paying for all of this clap trap. We are still paying off a debt service of $4,400,000.00 per year on the last capital improvement project.

I'm voting no on this project but if it passes, I will live with it, but not happily.
Rosalie Niemczyk
Bath