Vote yes on Belpre school levy

Letter to the Editor (Graphic Illustration/MetroCreative)

We have an upcoming election in Belpre to pass the school maintenance levy. This millage hasn’t been raised since 1984. Just a continuation of existing taxes. Like most of you, I believe in education. We need to pass this levy to make our schools better for our young students.

Running for mayor of Belpre, I know how hard votes are to get. I would not want to sit on the school board. They have a tough job getting this levy passed. I have already seen signs in yards telling us to vote no on this levy. But having said that, I think the board is a little irresponsible. I was the head soccer coach at Belpre the last three years. I was told the school board wants the head coach to be a school teacher. I was supposed to step down as head coach and become the assistant coach. I chose not to. Now the rumor going around is I retired. I did not retire. As head coach, I bought the uniforms for the team. The nets needed replaced and I bought them. Many of our games are two hours away and I would buy dinner for the team on the way home. I have been a sub in Belpre City Schools for seven years. During COVID, I was a sub and at school every single day. Did not miss one sick day. It was hard to do, but I also resigned as a substitute teacher at Belpre City Schools. Sadly, I’m not the only head coach who was replaced by a teacher. We had a head coach for 32 years. The season’s last game was on a Thursday. Friday, the very next day, this coach was told by the athletic director he would not be rehired for the next season. He was being replaced with a teacher to be the head coach. Then another sport, an assistant coach for 17 years interviewed for a head coach’s position. The selection committee unanimously chose the assistant to fill the head coaching position, but was overlooked by the board and a coach without varsity experience was hired.

It is not my intent to rant. Could or should I be mad and vote against the levy and punish the students? No. I love Belpre and as an alumnus I only want what is best for our students and schools. A school is the heartbeat of the community. Sporting events, band competitions and science fairs bring the community together. Belpre is in a great position. Other towns are envious of our growth. A new children’s hospital is coming. Will employ 200 new employees. But if we don’t pass a school levy, none of these workers with children will choose Belpre because of our schools. This coming election is a maintenance levy. A new school levy has been voted down each time on the ballot. Our schools are old and need replaced. It only makes sense to pass a new school levy. Our old schools are always needing something replaced, making them more expensive to maintain.

Your taxes are never assessed on the true appraisal value of your house. With better schools, real estate values go up and YOU realize the profit when you sell. Chances are, when you want to sell your house, it will be to a family with children. Will the buyer pick your house or look at another community with better schools?

It’s time to forget about putting vote no levy signs in our yards because our friend was let go at the school ten years ago or someone who wasn’t qualified hired for a better position. It’s time we overlook the pettiness. Let’s not look at what is best for me. Let’s look and see what’s best for our schools and community. Vote yes on the levy.

Jim Nelson

Belpre