CLINTON — I was really disappointed by the letter to the editor in the Clinton Herald on Thursday, Sept. 6, from Roger and Lorie Kilburg.

They used to be friends of ours, but Roger, along with others who we considered our friends quit speaking to us when we chose to send our EC students to NE through whole grade sharing.

It seems that since we did not agree with them about merging with Preston, then we were against them.  I have a hard time understanding this kind of mentality that has developed in our communities.  I have never experienced anything like this before.

I have respected the decision of friends who chose to open enroll to Preston; they made a decision for their individual family.  Unfortunately, many of those people that I thought were friends quit waving or speaking to my husband and me because we made a different choice. I have tried to be friendly and say hello to people, but after awhile of having people snub you, you give up.    

My name was listed as a member of OPT4EC by the Kilburgs in their letter, and it was insinuated that I had a special, self-serving interest in my decision to support our school, EC.  I am a proud member of OPT4EC, and I love our teachers, our community, and our school.  

Behind my name, it was listed that I was a NE parent (is this outing me in some way?).  I proudly sent my EC kids to NE through whole grade sharing.   Roger and Lorie forgot to also list behind my name that I am a resident of Sabula, a taxpayer in the EC school district, an alumni of EC, an educator for a local college, and that my kids attended both EC and NE; we are Raiders and Rebels.

Why did I choose whole grade sharing at NE for my kids?  As a parent and someone with a profession in higher education, I value the quality of the education, programs, and opportunities that my children receive.  They received the kind of education I wanted for them at EC and at NE.  I also want to support my town of Sabula, and the school district that is in my town and community.  So, yes, if valuing the quality of education my children receive and looking out for the best interest of my community is "having special interests," then I guess you found me out.

They also listed other ladies in our group.  Much has been made about Debb Pataska and Brenda McKone only trying to save their jobs.  Of course they would both love to continue to teach at an East Central Elementary School District, but they did not become part of OPT4EC because they are trying to save their jobs.  

If people did their homework, they would know that the hiring of teachers at an Easton Valley district would be based on need, certification, and seniority.  Brenda McKone is a national board certified teacher with a master's degree (meaning highly qualified) and has 32 years of teaching experience under her belt.  According to the Preston Master Contract that would be used as the guide for hiring teachers in a new district, Brenda McKone hardly has to worry about whether or not she will have a job.  

Debb Pataska is an experienced teacher, but she is also a mother of two children in our district and a taxpayer.  

Laura Horst has devoted her life to our students for decades and was hired at NE last year; she is also a tax payer.  

Marci Rickords, another one of our excellent EC teachers was hired at NE, so she's not trying to save her job, but she is a mother and a taxpayer.  Wanda Koch retired from serving our school community for years, and she has grandchildren in our district, and is a taxpayer.  Karen Daniels is a teacher at NE, had three daughters who graduated from EC, and is a taxpayer.  Jennifer Huling is a teacher at NE, and also a graduate of EC, and previously taught at EC.  Crys Gray has two daughters that graduated from EC, still has two daughters in our district, and is also a successful business woman, and a tax payer.  The only special interests that the ladies whose names that were put in the paper have are the students in our district and the education those students receive and the well-being of our community overall.

As a group, OPT4EC has tried to get correct information and facts to the public so that they can make an informed decision.  Our group has asked the members of the Citizens for Easton Valley some hard questions, which they still have not answered, and there is still no plan for the Easton Valley District (that will be developed after the vote if it passes).  

The majority of the Citizens for Easton Valley campaign has been to malign the EC district, those who support the district, and worst of all, our teachers.  What they haven't done is tell the public why Easton Valley is a better choice:  why it's better than keeping our own EC school district, why it's better to have uncertainty instead of keeping our taxes where they are without worrying about them going up, and why it's better than the education that our kids are receiving at EC and NE.

If some people think that sending their kids to Preston and Maquoketa is best, I can respect that decision.

What I cannot respect is putting the whole community at risk for something they can make a personal decision about by simply open enrolling.  Preston's school district issues should not be an issue forced upon the entire East Central Community and its citizens. I can tell you right now, the residents of Sabula have nothing to gain from an Easton Valley District, and neither do the EC students at the Miles and Sabula elementary schools or the EC students who whole grade share at NE.  EC school district does not need to merge with Preston.  We are doing just fine.  

What probably bothers me more than anything is that people that I thought were friends (or thought maybe could be again after this is all over) insinuate that I have something sneaky or personal to gain from the stance I have taken against the merger.  People that know me know my character, they know my heart, and they know I am honest.  My son graduated in May; my daughter is a junior this year, and if the merger passes, I (along with many others) will open enroll her to NE because that is where I feel she will get the best education to prepare her for beyond high school.  I simply care about my town, my taxes, and most importantly, what's best for kids.

Please visit opt4ec.com to be informed before you vote on Tuesday, Sept. 11.  I ask you to support your EC School and communities of Sabula and Miles and vote no.  I hope that no matter what the outcome of the vote is that people can start waving to one another, saying hello to one another, and being kind to one another again.

Erica Shoemaker,

Sabula resident, EC and NE parent