The time has come for new middle school

I recently became acutely aware of the urgent need to replace Sandpoint Middle School when my daughter started attending. While the school's exterior may not raise immediate concerns, its internal infrastructure is gradually crumbling.

This realization struck home last week. On Dec. 7, when a message informed us that the heating system had to be shut down abruptly due to a ruptured steam pipe. Families were urged to send their children to school the next day with a sweatshirt to endure the chilly conditions.

Shortly after, on Dec. 10, another message conveyed news of a water line rupture that flooded the school, prompting closure Dec. 11-12. Remote learning, necessitated by the closure, served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced during the pandemic.

Adding to the predicament, on Dec. 13, the gym had to be closed due to electricity loss caused by the flooding. This not only disrupted physical education, but also impacted students' lunch arrangements, forcing some to eat in unconventional spaces like band and choir rooms.

While the Lake Pend Oreille School District facilities staff deserves commendation for their hard work, there's an imminent need to address the deteriorating state of the middle school. It's evident that a major problem could arise in the near future, potentially leading to extended closures.

The time has come to rally together and advocate for the construction of a new middle school.

BRAD SMITH

Sandpoint