[Vision2020] 1912 Levy Issues

[Timothy Rigsby]

Phil:

I don't know about the downfalls of the science lab, but I do know that if the 
science lab is not up to par, it is not the only facility at MHS that would fall 
into this category.

The Physical Education Department, for whom I have worked extensively with this 
school year, is lacking proper and safe facilities as well.  Ms. Karla Harman 
busses her students to the University of Idaho Tuesday-Friday to participate 
in Outdoor Education classes.  Ms. Harman’s students receive instruction on 
Wall Climbing, Fly Fishing, Inline Hockey, Biking, Camping, and Racquet Sports to 
name a few activities.  I doubt very seriously that even with a remodel of the 
1912 center, that these activities could take place in the remodeled space.  Would 
you be willing to let students play inline hockey at CJ’s instead of building a 
new building?  

Not only is Ms. Harman taking her students off campus, but Mr. Amos and Ms. Barnes 
are as well.  Bussing students off campus takes away from the student’s 
activity time.  According to the governing authority of Physical Education, 
NASPE, students should receive a minimum of 150 minutes per week in vigorous 
physical activity.  By bussing students, we are cutting their classroom time to 
about 35 or 40 minutes per day.  Once you figure instruction or demonstration 
and introduction of new skills, the students may only get about 20 to 25 minutes 
of vigorous activity time.  100 minutes per week is nowhere near the NASPE standard 
of 150 minutes.

Considering that Unleaded gas is running $2.19 today per gallon and diesel is 
sitting right around $2.70, so I hear, I think that building this new school 
would help cut down considerably on the fuel cost to bus these students to far 
off playing fields and gymnasiums.  

If this bond passes, and I hope to hell it will, the students will more than 
likely not have to be bussed daily off campus to participate in activity 
classes.  Granted, in order for wall climbing to take place, they will still 
get bussed to UI, but this unit is typically only three weeks with the students 
bussed a maximum of 15 times.  When you were in school Phil, were you climbing up 
a premier climbing wall, learning to fly fish, or playing games such as Omnikin 
Ball or Pickleball?  You probably don’t even know what Pickleball or Kin ball are 
do you?  Students at MHS have one heck of a physical education program and 
are extremely fortunate to have what little facilities they have as is.  Giving 
these students a new school that is light years ahead of where they are now will 
not only help the morale of the students but also will help further the 
educational opportunities these students are missing out on.

Tim Rigsby
Student, University of Idaho
College of Education
Physical Education, School & Community Health Education, and Sport Science