To the Editor:
As principal of Timberlane Middle School, I have come to respect and admire the teaching staff, families, and student body tremendously. I see the enthusiasm they bring to teaching and learning, which is reflected in an amazing spirit of cooperation and community. It is my dream to provide a building with an appearance and operational capabilities that complement the level of education.
Timberlane Middle School would strongly benefit from the referendum in many ways, both inside and outside the building.
As one approaches the building, the needs become evident and go beyond aesthetic issues.
The front walkway is crumbling and uneven. The sign tower is cracked and crumbling and will soon need to be removed to avoid the risk of falling pieces. As I have come to understand it, every time the temperature dips below freezing, the water that has entered the sign tower through the numerous cracks, expands and contracts. This causes danger in the form of potential falling bricks and pieces of the tower. Additionally, there is no shelter from the elements when students and visitors wait outside the main entrance, as the awning that once existed has lost all but one top panel. The awning is also the main source of light on the front entrance, and its deteriorated status does not allow for maximum lighting to the already damaged front walk.
Inside, the aging HVAC system causes a range of issues. Uneven temperatures in various parts of the building impact students’ ability to focus on learning. During extreme temperatures, I have had to relocate classes, sometimes for days at a time. When the temperature is in an acceptable range, there is often noise that comes from the classroom heating/cooling units, which impacts the classroom environment regularly.
Our auxiliary gym remains the only space in the entire school district without air conditioning, making it a difficult area to learn in year-round. This makes the space unusable for our students and for building rentals when the temperatures rise.
Of course, I would love for the physical appearance of Timberlane to bring pride to our community. However, my priority is the safety and comfort of the students who come here to learn, and the staff who work to mold and support our children. Providing safe passage into and out of the building, shelter from precipitation, and a space free from potential falling debris is profoundly important for those in our care. Inside the building, I hope to provide a comfortable and consistent environment that allows students to do their best work.
I love Timberlane, and each of my four children is a former or current student here. The experiences of many current and future students will improve if we are able to address challenges through the referendum projects.
Thank you,
Christopher Turnbull
Principal
Timberlane Middle School
