LAKELAND: Vote Yes

I am a recently retired school teacher. I taught school for 34 years — 25 of which were in the Lakeland School District. I’m very proud of that service.

I am voting YES on March 14, and I encourage you to do the same.

Both bond issues are important to the success of students served by all Lakeland schools.

Bond Issue No. 1 includes items such as technology education, class size reduction, elementary counseling services and band to name a few. This bond also funds nearly 1/4 of the staff. Lakeland students have achieved a high level of success for many years. This will only be able to continue with the passing of bond No. 1.

Bond Issue No. 2 funds several facility items including roof replacement. I can’t tell you how many times I had to have buckets out in my classroom as water dripped through a leaky roof. It does have an impact on teaching when kids are dodging dripping water, or showing up in the morning to find a wet desk to greet them. Several of our buildings, though well maintained, are showing their age.

My wife and I raised our children here. They are all Lakeland graduates. We are proud of their continued success as adults. The academic, social and extracurricular activities provided an excellent foundation for their success.

Let’s keep providing that foundation in the Lakeland School District.

Please Vote Yes — We are!

MARK WORTHEN

Retired Lakeland Teacher

COY WORTHEN

Current Lakeland Educator