By RICK SCHULTE

Passing the Nov. 8 election for new high school athletic facilities will benefit students, youth sports, academic classes, business and the community. This proposal has been thoroughly reviewed, revised and fine-tuned to make it highly cost-effective and broadly beneficial. It deserves wide community support.

Here are 10 very good reasons for voting for the Nov. 8 stadium (athletic facilities) proposal.

One: Co-curricular activities and athletics are essential parts of the district’s mission to educate all students for success.

School Board policy recognizes that athletics are “an integral part of the total school experience” and commits the district to supporting such activities. Studies show that student athletes are more likely to go to college, graduate from college, be employed at high-wage jobs and lead healthy life styles.

Two: The current stadium is not safe.

The bleachers have already been torn down after engineers cited them as in “imminent danger of collapse.” The field is still too small, resulting in insufficient space between the boundaries and fences, spectators, and other obstacles. The track at OHHS is crumbling, lacks cushioning to prevent injuries and does not comply with competition standards.

Three: The current playing field is not adequate to today’s needs.

The current field was built when football was the only sport played on it. Since then we have added soccer as well, for both boys and girls, creating far too many events to keep the field in satisfactory condition.

Four: Stadium amenities are unsatisfactory.

The locker rooms, restrooms, concession stand, ticket booths, gates and access routes are too small, poorly equipped, not handicapped accessible, expensive to maintain and beyond their life expectancy.

Five: The site itself is too small to provide sufficient seating, parking, field space and amenities. It doesn’t take advantage of existing parking at OHHS.

Six: The current configuration and run-down appearance make a poor memorial that reflects badly on our community and our veterans.

Seven: As recent football games and homecoming have shown, a growing community like Oak Harbor needs sufficient spectator seating for up to 3,000 people – not a 50-year-old facility designed for a much smaller community.

Eight: The cost of the proposed athletic facilities at OHHS is a good buy for the taxpayers and residents of Oak Harbor.

With Rotary’s help, plans have been set at economical levels that will provide the most value for the money. Bond interest rates are still low. Construction will occur before costs rise dramatically as expected over the next several years. Planned reductions in tax rates for old school bonds will minimize new tax rates for voters.

Nine: The proposed athletic field and track will be a community resource that can be used by many youth and adult groups in addition to school users such as band, NJROTC, and PE classes.

Ten: Constructing the stadium now is consistent with the upcoming planned remodel of Oak Harbor High School.

By passing a high school modernization bond this coming spring, we will be able to coordinate design and construction of the stadium and the high school. Integrating the two construction projects can and will occur even though the elections occur at different dates.

Dr. Rick Schulte is superintendent of the Oak Harbor School District.