The Tri-Cities has a laudable history of providing its citizens and their children tremendous education opportunities. Our children have excelled and have become leaders in our communities and our nation. They have often done this despite the facilities we have provided them.

The current bond before us addresses the gaps in providing adequate and safe facilities to provide an environment conducive to the education possibilities of our area. We need to be proud of our national recognition as one of the greatest places to raise children. This bond lets us live up to this reputation and expectation. (Note: The benefit of this reputation is and will be reflected in the increase values of our homes and properties.)

The elementary schools planned to be replaced have served us well, but they were constructed before the handheld calculator and internet were invented. They were built to codes that have been recognized as deficient in providing adequate safety for their occupants (our kids).

Please vote yes on the school bond to give our children safe schools to afford the best education possible. Our parents did it for us.

ALTA CLEAVENGER, Richland