The arguments against our local public school district (RE1J) seeking voter approval to raise money for capital improvement projects all seem to boil down to cost. Its too expensive, opponents say, we cant afford it and now is not the right time.

I ask a different question: Can the Gunnison Valley afford not to invest in our public schools?

As longtime local homeowners, business owners and commercial property owners, my wife and I understand the property tax burden ballot issue 5A places on us. We accept this as part of our countrys foundational commitment to free education for all students.

Not only that, but it makes good business sense to pass 5A.

We firmly believe that healthy, vibrant public schools play a critical role in the overall health of a community. Thats why an investment in the strength of those schools is an investment in our community. Its also an investment in our local businesses.

On the economic front, we sure like to dwell on the negative. Non-stop talk of inflation, the price at the pump and rising interest rates can suck all the oxygen out of a room.

But, by what metric is our local economy not doing well? We regularly talk with our fellow local business owners who tell us about one sales record or another that they continue to set.

Do you know a contractor or tradesman who is not busy? Restaurant and retail sales remain strong. Lodging and visitation numbers do, too.

And while the real estate market is cooling off (which most would say is a good thing), local property remains in high demand and property values continue to be incredibly strong.

Of course, inflation, the possibility of a national recession and a tight and fickle labor market are serious issues that we all face. But weve survived these issues before.

Overall, the local business realities down here on the ground lead me to look at the long-term economic prospects of the Gunnison Valley with optimism, which helps me conclude that the timing of issue 5A is just fine.

This community has answered the call in support of RE1Js facility needs before most recently in 2008 and before that in 1995, making possible the Gunnison and Crested Butte community schools, a renovated Gunnison High School and much more.

Were these bad investments? I certainly think not. I cant even fathom where our community would be without these facilities.

As such, its short-sighted to take something as important as public schools for granted. Reaching out in support of ongoing capital needs every 10 to 15 years or so is part of the deal. And, in Colorado, property tax supported bonds are simply how large-scale school construction projects are funded.

What about the project? Well, its been years in the making and has involved the input of literally hundreds of people from school staff and administrators to parents to members of the general public.

Of course, its not perfect, and its hard to get overly excited about maintenance and safety upgrades, two of the key components of 5A (the other two being overcrowding in Crested Butte and vocational education expansion in Gunnison). But the needs are real and one cannot deny that a tremendous amount of thought, effort and compromise have gone into the proposal. (To learn more about the specifics, and to ask questions, visit GWSDSchools.com.)

What about the cost? Sure, $95 million is a lot of money. But, Id argue that its in the same ballpark as $21 million was in 1995 and $55 million was in 2008.

A lot has been made of the $186 million total payoff amount over the life of the bonds. But anyone whos ever taken out a mortgage to purchase a home understands long-term interest expense.

And what tends to get overlooked are the facts that the 1995 bonds are paid off, and RE1J has saved taxpayers more than $7 million in interest expense on the 2008 bonds through a series of timely refinances.

I think our school leaders, from board members on down, have been admirable stewards of public funds and the districts favorable rating by the bond agencies is evidence of this fiscal soundness.

What happens if we dont continue our ongoing support of our public schools and 5A fails? Well, the needs dont magically disappear. History shows that overcrowding will get worse.

Opening up our pocketbooks to pay more tax is neither fun nor easy. But when it comes to supporting our community schools, I believe issue 5A will be very worth it. And thats coming from the perspective of a business owner, not even a parent with kids in the system.

(Chris Dickey is the former editor, publisher and owner of the Gunnison Country Times. He and his wife, Kirsten, continue to own and operate OffCenter Screenprinting & Embroidery, the Gunnison T-Shirt Company and Spennies Ice Cream Stand. They believe, despite the many challenges, that there is no better place to raise a family and own a business than the Gunnison Valley.)

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Investment in public schools is well worth it - Gunnison Country Times