To the editor:

I recently had the opportunity to have a tour of the new East Providence High School, led by the superintendent, Dr. Sandra Forand.

Two facts came up that are relevant to the upcoming bond issue for a new Mt Hope High School.

First, is the fact that $200M was allocated for the project and it came in under budget. There are many unforeseeable issues that can come up with large project like these, but cost overruns are not inevitable as seemed to be suggested in recent letters to the editor.

Secondly, the new school has state-of-the-art facilities to provide certificate training in disciplines as varied as building trades, health care, and engineering to name a few. These programs can lead to employment or advanced college placement for students who complete these programs. A majority of students currently are enrolled in these programs and the absentee rate for them is 4%! That compares with an absentee rate of 40% for students who do not choose to enroll in these programs.

The environment of the new East Providence High School provides not only the means but the motivation to engage in classwork because it is self-evidently relevant to the students who participate.

From what has been reported, the new Mt. Hope High School will offer much the same to the Bristol Warren students, making it a sound investment in our future whether or not it is our children who will benefit.

Geoff Berg
Warren