Editor, Gazette-Journal:

There has been a great deal of talk about the new middle school of late, but basic information still does not clutter the conversation. Simple facts have still not been made public, such as the projected number of middle school students and what assumptions were used to make the projections.

What weight was given to the fact that elementary student counts have declined? Who made the projections? There have been numbers used, but none have been supported in the press or public meetings that I could find. I have never gotten a reply to an e-mail from any school board member on this or any other subject.

The size of the middle school to be constructed has a significant impact on future school budgets. Every square foot of excess space not only adds to the original construction cost, but to the debt service over the next 30 years. Every square foot of excess space increases operation cost for cooling, heating and janitorial services for the life of the buil...