Reports this week that some spruce-up efforts at Twin Valley High School are underway should come as welcome news to anyone who uses the facility. While much has been made of the long-term efforts to find a viable replacement or upgrade solution to the aging facility, the short-term status of the building has been overlooked. Cracked siding, potholes in the parking lot, peeling paint, and a generally shabby appearance don’t offer a welcoming vision to students and parents as they enter the building. It also scares off potential tuition students, which means the condition of the building also scares off potential revenues.

Kudos to the school board for recognizing the conundrum, and to Robert Edwards for bringing up the issue. We also find Edwards’ plans laudable, using volunteer efforts to stretch the small amount of money the school board was able to find in a budget surplus. Lest anyone doubt Edwards’ efforts, it should be noted that a decade ago, in his full-time role as Dover police chief, he ferreted out volunteer and community service labor to finish the new police station under budget. His track record in this area is proven to be viable.

In fact, volunteer labor has a long and distinguished tradition in Vermont, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue. After all, investing some sweat equity in a public space or building only enhances the community for all, not to mention saving a few tax dollars as well. We see volunteer efforts all the time for certain things, like playgrounds in Whitingham or ball fields in Dover. Why not hold an extended work bee to spruce up the high school? The building certainly needs it, and won’t there be smiles on the faces of students when they walk into school the first day this fall and see fresh paint and patched siding. Parents will feel better driving into the parking lot without having to dodge potholes the size of a small car.

We encourage anyone who can lend a hand to do so. Our children deserve a better school experience, and there’s no reason a little volunteer effort can’t be extended to provide a better place to learn.

After all, that effort may the be best lesson we can offer.