Response to Greg Wortman's letter

Dear Editor:

Mr. Wortman, we respect your right to voluntarily choose to attend another school, but you, and your committee, "Patrons for Quality Education," are not willing to allow that right to the students at NEVC. We believe if you would ask them, they would tell you they want to stay in their own community where they do not have long bus commutes and have more opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities, as well as receive a quality education. However, the students have no vote in this issue.

We are all concerned about students receiving quality education, so maybe we could work together to find innovative ways to fund our schools. Property tax is the most unfair tax there is. There should be a different way of funding schools that is more equitable for all. Finding that funding should be a goal on which we all work.

What would happen to our children in a larger scenario? Most of them would make it, but some would fall through the cracks. We have students that have come here from other schools, Nevada included, and they were having problems. They came to Northeast and became prime examples of what caring teachers in a smaller environment can accomplish.

NEVC is a caring community. We are talking about more than buildings and schools. Our way of life is being threatened. We personally know our teachers and students and their families. We have input in the way they are taught. We can have some control on how our tax money is spent with a local school board. What would we have if we went to Nevada or other larger schools? The same as we have with bigger government -- less control and more taxes as they would have to build. Big is not always better.

NEVC Kids First Committee is an organization dedicated to seeing that our students get the best education that is available and keep them in their own community. We say no to annexation.

Thank you,

Neoma Foreman and Cheryl Bogardus

Public Relations Co-Chairmen

NEVC Kids First Committee