To the editor: As a third-generation Fairbanksan with children and grandchildren living here, I am so disappointed at the lack of priority our community and state leaders are putting on education.
Like many of you, I was raised believing we had an exceptional school system and, at one time, we did. That is no longer the case. We are letting our children down. If that isn’t bad enough, we are letting ourselves down because it’s very difficult to recruit professionals to live and work in Fairbanks. You may not have children in our school system, but believe me, the hit to the quality of education is affecting you.
In my 30 years selling homes in Fairbanks, I worked with many professionals: doctors, attorneys, professors, law enforcement, etc. Most of them had multiple opportunities for work location options and were here deciding if they wanted to make Fairbanks their home. Our town isn’t the most picturesque place and, if they came in winter, it was an even tougher sell.
Without exception, one of their primary concerns was the quality of our schools. If you want more doctors, more medical specialists, more exceptional employees, please let your community and state leaders know that you think our schools need better, consistent funding.
Let’s help our children succeed so they will stay in Fairbanks and provide services here. Please help Fairbanks thrive.
