Voters in the Alden-Conger School District should vote in favor of a $1,785,000 bond issue that will pay for a 15,000-square-foot addition to the Alden school.

It is important for small rural school districts to keep their facilities updated if they want to stay competitive and avoid talks of consolidation down the road. Consolidation might seen laughable today, but you never know what state leaders will do concerning education in this state.

Futhermore, it would be nice to see the vision of LaVerne Carlson come to fruition. The Alden merchant donated $325,000 to the school for the addition before he died.

The addition would feature a fitness center, meeting rooms, city offices, a science room and a classroom for early childhood education. The fitness center would include a multipurpose gymnasium, weights and aerobic equipment.

The fitness center and other rooms in the addition would be open for community use. The issuance of bonds would be repaid over 10 years through a property tax levy. The city is chipping in an annual payment, too.

The city and school should be commended for working well together, and the plan seems to be a sensible way to meet the objectives of the school as well as the needs of local residents. Kids and parents, if it passes, will get enjoyment out of the new addition.

Vote to support Alden-Conger School District&8217;s bond issue on Nov. 6.