Letter to the Editor from Clarence Resident and Parent, Brittany Beckley

Dear Editor,

Throughout the entirety of the Proposition-1 fiasco, it seems that there are two differing opinions. Which, of course, is completely understandable and is sure to follow any type of vote in our Democratic process. Two opinions, two sides, both different and both sides think they are in the right. Such is the way of any problem presented with two choices from which to decide upon.

I present this letter to you, humbly, and also to the people of Macon and Shelby Counties which have been thrust in the unpleasant decision of voting on an extremely delicate matter. What started as a vote between the citizens of Shelby County and the Shelby R-IV School District, has with ferocious swiftness, now involved the citizens of Macon County and Macon R-I School District as well. I wish to offer my opinions on the whole matter, in the hopes that the voters will take the time and the consideration to cast their vote with care upon researching the facts amidst the cacophonous calls of the lobbying groups on either side that may or may not provide the ACTUAL facts.

However, before I begin on the facts and my opinions therewith, I feel that there are a few points that need to be addressed, mainly to the citizens of Shelby County and to the Shelby County R-IV School District. Though if the Macon County citizens wish to take note, they may.

Both groups for and against the redistricting of the town of Clarence and its students have spewed such slander, misinformation, and hateful, degrading, and abhorrent comments against the other that I am disgusted with the conduct of these so-called “adults”. Both sides have differing opinions and both have a right to such, but to say that one is right over the other is not the case. Both sides have defended themselves in impertinent, childish, and in uneducated actions and comments. It’s saddening and repulsive. The sides have divided themselves into the “East District” and the “West District” and seems to be reminiscent of a bloody war found in past history or in a fantasy novel. Not to mention screaming loudly of onset segregation.

My opinion, and that is what it is, mine; is that the bullying, the childish behavior, the outright misleading of information of the truth and the facts, is causing the people of Shelby Co. R-IV to seemingly return to the most primitive of our animalistic natures. I’m ashamed of all of the grown adults and how they have handled this situation. I am ashamed of the lies and the bashing. I am ashamed of the hypocrisy of some of the citizens. What of the educators that were lied to about keeping their jobs, tenured among them? What of the education system, where it is broken and failing the students to see their mentors, teachers, and parents carrying on thus? Pitting the children to a side? Forcing and influencing them to choose in a fight that they do not understand because of some of the legal and adult issues that coincide with it? How can you as adults, spout hate and hypocrisy, by bashing one another and in the same statement say that you will pray for the other party? I realize that this behavior happens in any heated topic, but just the same. I pray for you all.

I went to South Shelby High School. I graduated and I believe I am a smart, strong individual because of it and because of my educators that taught me. I had my fair share of angsty teenage woes, bullying and self-esteem among them, but Clarence Elementary is where I started. Clarence Elementary I am most thankful for. Starting at a smaller school with smaller class sizes, where the teachers could work with us better, helped me out immensely before I went to South Shelby Middle School to stretch my wings out and grow.

That last paragraph leads me to my opinions on the whole matter in and of itself. There have been issues with this consolidation from the very moment that it was proposed and added to a ballot. How it was pushed too hard and too fast onto the citizens of Clarence. How the district is lying about the district taxes that will be paid. You pay ONE school district tax for the school district that you attend, not two (i.e. you live in one district while your child attends a school in another), and this can be verified by the Secretary of Education. North Shelby’s test scores far outweigh South Shelby’s. Why is that? Because it is a smaller school that focused their money on EDUCATION, not SPORTS, and definitely not on building a NEW building that will cost millions, in a county dwindling in population every year. Also, the issues arising that will affect the quoted price of the school. The sewer problem that will cost additional thousands, if not millions, to either add a new lagoon or to connect with Shelbina’s sewer system. That cost was not factored into the original quoted price. The air and heating will be another problem. That will also cost additional thousands, if not MILLIONS, to bore new lines for the system that the current school has, that once again, was not factored into the original price quoted. Will the district try to raise the taxes again? On an already financially strained population? Where will the extra money to fix these issues come from?

Another problem that has arisen from this is the ability to voice opinions. The citizens who can’t voice their opinion, their God-given right to voice, that was fought for and maintained by military men and women (like myself) with their service and their lives, for the citizens to maintain, can’t voice their opinions for fear of bullying and VANDALISM of property. How dare you all spout your high and mighty voices, without thinking about the ones you are really hurting; besides those you aim your barbed words at: your children and yourselves.

I don’t want the redistricting, but I don’t, with every fiber of my being, want a consolidated school district. It is true that it seems as if Shelbina has gained the most from the consolidations in the past. The schools are closer to and have the addresses of Shelbina. But why the huge push to consolidate? Could it be that if Clarence redistricts, then the district itself will lose close to, or thereabouts, 44% of it’s revenue? How then will they afford a new building that won’t offer in the least bit, better education? It can be filled with all the top security and best educational gadgets, but those won’t help our students. Better books, better educational and after-school programs, such as STEM related classes, tech classes, Science Olympiad, debate, or resources, would better benefit the students. Money should be spent on those, NOT on a new building that will already be at its half life by the time that it is paid in full; whereas the newer addition of the Clarence Elementary is around 40 years old to put in perspective. And what of the decay of the current middle school and high school? The decay of the Shelbina Elementary that was exacerbated by the trust in a construction company that sub-contracted and made the Shelbina Elementary even worse? How the Clarence Elementary is in better shape? How the current middle school was built to accommodate more students then it currently has and has more than enough room to take on the students of Shelbina Elementary? The decline of population due to lack of educational programs and scholarships that make the students want to stay in the county and make it better? And the argument that the students don’t want to move and leave the friends that they know and how this is all “united for the kids”, is asinine. What of the parents that move and take their children with them and into a new school district because of better job opportunities? Don’t those children want to stay with their friends? But they can’t, can they? They move with their parents and have to attend a new school. Or the military children that have to change schools all the time. They leave their friends behind, they don’t want to attend a new school, but must. Or what of the fact that the kids will have to grow up and move away to college. Leaving their friends and families behind when they go to a NEW school? How is that any different than the possibility that the students might have to attend Macon County R-I because of redistricting?

What if the SS school district allowed Clarence Elementary to become a K-8? Where they would be given their own CHOICE to attend the High school of their choosing, Macon or SS? What if they could decide what high school to attend based on their academic wants and needs? Wouldn’t that be a better plan? Seems like a win/win to me.

This issue was pushed too hard and too fast, without thought or logical plan, without extensive talks with both towns and their citizens (mainly Clarence), and without regards to feelings or the detrimental outcome of this idea. There are pros and cons to both, but it seems to me that there are more cons to consolidating than pros. It also is evident to me that people are sorely uneducated on this matter and the lies don’t help. The bullying does not help. Vote because you know about the facts of the issue, not because someone tells you how you should vote or because you hear misinformation. Find out the facts for yourselves. And for those people that are voting one way because you are afraid of losing your jobs, businesses, or because you don’t want to face the backlash from others, I will stop that thought right there. Voting is ANONYMOUS. And to lose your job over the way you vote is, I believe, illegal. So, there you go. You do NOT have to tell ANYONE how you voted, and short of telling your boss yourself, you should not fear for your job for voting on what you believe and are educated on.

If you went to high school and graduated and claim that you are educated because of it, then prove it. And for the love of God, all of you fighting and hate commenting, grow up and stop being petty, whiney, bullying little snobs, reminiscent itself of a high school clique. Shame on you all.

I’ve said my piece and voiced my OPINION. The right of the freedom of speech that is granted upon us as citizens of the United States of America under the Constitution, that I have fought to uphold as a member of the military, I have exercised. I close by stating that I have people that I care for, love, go to church with, and respect in the towns of Clarence, Shelbina, AND in Macon, who are on either side of the issue. I pray that the resolution to this vote will be peaceful. I pray for all of you that are torn, conflicted, or undecided on the matter. I pray for those that have spouted hate and slander. I pray for those that have been bullied or their property vandalized for voicing their opinion. Last, I pray for the children and for the health and safety of all the citizens of both Macon and Shelby Counties. Exercise your right to vote in the August 7th election and God speed.

Yours Sincerely,

Brittany R. Beckley

Clarence resident and parent