I became a teacher, both in a private school and in public schools, then a teacher educator at two universities and an assistant superintendent. Along the way I earned a doctorate. As a result of my deep commitment to public service, I served as the chair of the Amherst School Committee and I did so because I believe in the importance of a quality public education for all children.

I know that most of my fellow Amherst residents feel the same way I do. Our community believes deeply in education, and has always worked hard to ensure that all our children receive the best education, using the best resources we can afford.

This is why I believe that we must vote to build our new elementary schools in November.

There has been a lot of conversation lately about the new schools building project proposed in Amherst, and while many people have questions about the project’s details that must be answered, we must not lose sight of the big picture that led us to consider this effort in the first place.

Wildwood and Fort River schools are in serious decline right now, due to various factors including years of wear and tear and significant design flaws. Our students, in these two schools, must walk through other classrooms in order to go to the bathroom or access other parts of their schools, and most don’t even have walls or windows in their classrooms. Additionally, there are serious health issues related to water and air quality that affect teachers and students.

Another issue is that the configuration of the schools as they exist means that dozens of our children from low-income families and with special education needs are moved around town daily so that they can have the materials, classrooms and teachers they need to succeed. As now configured, our schools simply do not have the space to house an enlarged preschool program that is central to our educational plans.

Simple renovations won’t cut it, and we can’t afford to lose state funding or wait five, 10 or 15 years to reconstruct the existing buildings.

There are those who would have us do just that. However, as of now we are guaranteed state funding for more than half of the project cost. There is no guarantee that even if we did get an extension or came up with a new plan, that the same funding would be available that we have now.

Additionally, the hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been expended on the project would be lost and we would have to spend thousands more to come up with a new plan. In the meantime, capital expenditures for a new roof and boiler would have to be made while we wait for uncertain funding.

As for those who oppose the current project and are urging us to get an extension, I say this: If they cannot guarantee future funding, they are relying on hope – and hope is not a plan. Moreover, if voters fail to approve this project, then we will continue to lose students to charter, private and “choice” schools.

Research has shown that those who can avail themselves of these options do so, while those who cannot afford to do so will be forced to attend schools that are physically inferior and unhealthy. We’ve been talking about the problems with these schools for years, and now we have a real opportunity to correct them. The vote in November on Question 5, is a legacy vote. It is a vote that will be our legacy to future generations of Amherst children. We must take action now so that all our children have healthy, quality schools to attend for the next 30 years.

If we the voters of Amherst, truly believe that all our children deserve the best schools we can give them — with equal access to a healthy learning environment and good teachers — then we should vote yes on Question 5.

Irv Rhodes is past chair of the Amherst School Committee and current member of the School Building Committee.