Wilmington and Whitingham voters will be asked next month to begin a decision-making process that will directly affect the education of their children for the foreseeable future. On November 4, voters leaving the polls will be asked to take a minute to pick an option for future construction or reconstruction of the Twin Valley High School.

The first step begins now, with a series of informational meetings over the next two weeks to present the various options to the community. We think this is a terrific approach to the problem. Rather than present only one option, people will be given a series of options to consider. Renovate or build on to the current high school site in Wilmington, flop the high school and middle school and make renovations at both sites, or move the entire operation to the current middle school site in Whitingham and shut down the Wilmington building altogether. More information on these options can be found on page 52, or at www.tvfacilities.org.

We think the approach taken by the facilities committee is the correct one for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the committee is not asking for a vote on spending money. They are asking for direction. The committee has obvious sensitivity to the current economic conditions and the diverse opinions of voters and taxpayers in the two communities.

We’re hopeful that everyone in the two communities will take the time to attend the meeting, read the articles here in the paper, and take the time to go through the Web site in detail. While it is wishful thinking to hope that every single person will take the time to become informed, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Wilmington has spent the better part of a decade trying to find solutions to the aging high school facility. Options have been presented and defeated, for a variety of reasons.

A solution needs to be found, and doing nothing is not an option. We think the facilities committee has gotten it right in their approach. Now it’s up to the citizenry to weigh in and voice their opinions.