Bond committee member Kay Scherer interviews Don Dondero about his years at Carson High School when it was where Bordewich-Bray Elementary School is now. Dondero supports the bond to expand the school. Photo by Rick Gunn.
To Don Dondero, the names Edith Fritsch and Grace Bordewich don't bring to mind Carson City elementary schools. They're the names of his high school teachers.
"Mrs. Fritsch was so nice that she let us get away with a lot of things, but she would put the clamps on when it got too much," he recalled. "Grace Bordewich didn't let you get away with anything. But she was a good teacher."
Dondero, 82, was a member of Carson High School's first graduating class in 1937, when the school was located where Bordewich-Bray Elementary School is now.
Although the building has since been replaced and has served as a junior high and now an elementary school, Dondero hopes the site will continue to serve as an educational center for the community.
He will be one of a variety of alumni and school officials who will be featured on a video to demonstrate support for the proposed $3.75-million bond issue to build an addition to the school.
"It's important to pass the bond because education is really important," Dondero said. "Particularly, seniors my age should recognize that. We've had the opportunity to watch people who were well educated and the success they've enjoyed."
Bond committee member, Kay Scherer is organizing the making of the video along with students from Carson High School's media production class.
Scherer served as an officer on Bordewich-Bray's Parent-Teacher Association when her son was a student there last year.
She was asked to appear at a bond committee meeting this year. It was apparent that her history in print and television journalism as well as public relations would be helpful.
"Very quickly, I was able to jump in and do a little more then a little more then a little bit more," she said.
But she's happy to take on the additional responsibility.
"It's a great cause," she said. "I certainly don't mind giving my hours to this."
She developed a logo for the bond which will be displayed on campaign signs and t-shirts. She also developed a website www.carsonschoolbond.com with information about the bond.
The bond would build an addition to the school to replace five modulars on the campus which were destroyed because of toxic mold.
Voters passed an $18-million bond in the 2000 election to make general repairs, upgrade old systems and increase security throughout the district.
But the past success does not ease the mind of Mike Mitchell, director of operations.
"It's a different animal," Mitchell said. "The last bond had tangible improvements to every school site. This one doesn't. But if this bond doesn't pass, it would have a residual effect on all the other schools."
The bond video will debut at Tuesday's school board meeting.
If you go:
What: Carson City School Board meeting
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Carson City Community Center
On the Web:
For more information about the 2002 school bond issue visit www.carsonschoolbond.com.
Informational pamphlets about the bond are available at the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, the school district office, the Brewery Arts Center and the Carson City Senior Citizens Center.