Letter to the editor: QV secondary students need better

Recent letters to the editor address the Quaker Valley School District’s decision to build a new high school. The District is off-target. Considering the financial investment and return on investment, this decision is ludicrous.

Mr. Meier and Ms. Kipp’s op-eds (in the Feb. 18 issue) summarize the arguments opposing a new school from an engineering and educational perspective. As an educator and QV resident, I agree with both perspectives.

The flood plain excuse used by the District is a ruse. The campus at 625 Beaver St. is aged, however, it would be a gross mistake to abandoned the site. A new building at a remote site does not equate to quality education. QV secondary students need so much more; i.e. high-quality teaching, schooling and life-preparation skills. My wife, along with many other distinguished graduates of QVHS whom I personally know, learned academic preparation and life skills at QVHS. Quality teaching and curricula make a great high school experience, not a multi-million dollar facility.

My credentials include a bachelor of science in education from the University of Dayton, master of science in supervision and instruction from Wright State University, Ed.D. from Auburn University and doctoral dissertation “Comparison of classroom and distance learning,” published by Auburn University.

I have five years of experience as a high school teacher, 30 years as a superintendent/director of Navy technical schools, advisor on education to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and professor of education at two universities and junior colleges.

QV secondary students need better – not a remote, pictorial high school at a substantial cost to residents. Folks, it’s about educating and preparing students for adulthood.

Dr. Bob Ryan

Glen Osborne