To the editor:
On the Nov. 4 election ballot, the Oconto Unified School District will ask voters to approve Referendum Question No. 2, which requests $1.5 million to install fire sprinklers in all three schools. I urge voters to vote “yes” to Question 2 for fire sprinkler protection in the schools.
It is an important issue regarding the safety of the community’s children. For a small investment ($10 per $100,000 property tax for six years), fire sprinklers will provide fire safety for students, staff and the buildings themselves.
The lack of fire sprinklers in the schools was evident when a bathroom fire occurred at Oconto High School in April. Toxic, black smoke spread through the school’s ventilation system. Fortunately, no one was injured, however, the school suffered approximately $5 million in damage. There were additional costs to relocate students for nearly a month during the restoration process.
The outcome could have been much more positive had fire sprinklers been present. Fire sprinklers, which are individually heat-activated, could have controlled or extinguished the fire and kept smoke to a minimum.
Let’s learn from this costly fire and choose to install fire sprinklers in Oconto schools to protect the bright futures of the community’s children.
Dan Gengler,
Waupaca,
regional manager,
Wisconsin chapter,
National Fire Sprinkler Association
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