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Connor Glynn: Elicit students’ opinions

Elicit students’ opinions

An interesting phenomenon has arisen. Neither side of the argument to either build a new high school or to make due with the status quo have seemingly elicited the opinions of current or recent graduates from Steamboat Springs high school.

As a 2014 graduate and a 13-year student of the Steamboat School District, I have been inside these halls, and I feel I have a fairly good perspective of this issue.



One argument against building the high school is the fact some people think we need a “community” high school. As a student, I can tell you with authority, you could put the high school in Phippsburg, and you will have as many kids walking or riding their bikes. We want to drive our cars to school.

And if we are not fortunate enough to have a vehicle, we will get rides from friends, even if we live three blocks from school. And if this is your argument, then wouldn’t placing the school that much closer to neighborhoods typically considered more “blue collar” be more appropriate?



Let’s face facts — the real estate values of Old Town are significantly higher than that of West End, West Acres, Riverside, Steamboat II, Heritage Park and Silver Spur. Simple socioeconomics would dictate these neighborhoods would benefit more from having a closer high school that could be biked to.

Many people feel there is sufficient capacity in the high school. When you look at the raw numbers, it certainly seems to be the case. Further scrutiny will reveal the extra capacity typically falls in elective classes.

The core classes we are all required to take are maxed out. There is room in some of the art, engineering tech, band rooms, as well as many of the advanced academic classes such as AP chemistry, but to put two more students into a freshman English classroom would be difficult.

The after-school activity enhancement will be a great boon to the student athlete. As an athlete, often times my teammates and I would be practicing until 9:30 to 9:45 p.m. — not exactly ideal for a high school student. By having sufficient practice space, we would then be able to have practices finished at a regular hour that doesn’t include being home after 10 p.m.

I am excited about the chance to voice my opinion in an election for the first time. I am also excited about the possibilities future students in Steamboat Springs can have when residents vote to pass 3A and 3B as I will.

Connor Glynn

SSHS Class of 2014


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