I am Alex Bolves, the only student member of the Snoqualmie Valley School District Facilities Task Force committee. It has been a definite challenge. The task of creating new facilities or using what we have is not as easy as “go and build something,” like some other people have said to me. Also, being a student really gives me an interesting perspective on the topics presented at the meetings.

For instance, I have noticed that many of the questions from the other members on certain ideas revolve around taxes where mine, generally, refer to more basic material. I really do feel quite honored to be able to voice my opinion on issues like these. A significant regret would definitely be the lack of public involvement. These meetings are public and, not including the three public forums held in March, I have only seen one person who wasn’t on the committee present.

Being new to the area, I automatically assumed an “innocent until proven guilty” sense about the conditions of the schools. I have since learned the schools are superb, as is the staff; however, classroom space is projected to shrink to the point of “utterly crammed.” In contrast, I feel that the numbers heighten or intensify the overcrowding issue. Although there is absolutely a situation, I don’t feel that the learning process has been harmed. True, the halls do become backed up, but it is not as bad as the numbers portray it to be.

The meetings are really informative; they do take a bit out of you, though. It takes some pretty analytical thinking, at least for me it does. The pace of the meeting is always at a constant, making it a lot easier to process the information. The provided cookies help, too. The presentations by the guest speakers have been impeccable, truly flawless. They always come prepared to answer the questions that we may have. Also, the district administrators are forever ready to jump in and clarify or answer a question, which is a blessing most of the time.

I really hope that anyone who reads this and knows when and where the meetings are will come. They are amazingly informative, and it’s a really friendly environment. Anyway, it is a great chance to get involved with your community and if you have kids in or about to enter the school system, I can’t emphasize enough how imperative it is that you come to at least one of these meetings.

I really hope those reading this column get the message that the meetings are a great chance to learn and get involved. When the task force recommends what should be done to the school board, I don’t want anyone to think they didn’t have the opportunity to provide input into the decision. Everyone who attends the meetings or visits the Web site can understand and have a part in what the plan is.

Thank you so much for your time. Come check out one of the meetings sometime. They are on Wednesdays at the district office from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Also, be sure to check out our Web site and look for an announcement soon on our next series of public forums

Alex Bolves

Mount Si High School freshman

This is part of a bimonthly series of guest columns written by members of the Snoqualmie Valley School District Facilities Task Force. These columns are part of a comprehensive communication effort to inform and engage the community during the course of our work. For more details, visit www.snoqualmie.k12.wa.us, click on Facilities Task Force Information.