And what is discussed at these upcoming meetings could affect each patron, student, teacher and parent in the local school district.

Starting this week — on three separate nights — the school district is hosting community forums.

These meetings are designed to provide information about a proposed school bond issue. The school board has been discussing the possibility of asking voters to approve a $25.6 million bond issue during the general election in November.

These community forums are important opportunities for members of the public — who either have or haven’t been involved up to this point — to offer an opinion.

The forums will be at 7 p.m. on this Thursday, and again on March 9 and April 5 — all three in the cafeteria of Tonganoxie Elementary School.

The school district is reaching a crucial crossroads.

School board members soon — likely after the April 5 community forum — will decide whether to move forward with a bond issue.

Presently, the school board is leaning toward a proposal under which:

• A new middle school (for fifth- through eighth-graders) would be constructed on 80 acres the district owns southeast of Pleasant and Washington.
  ¢ The existing elementary school would be converted into a school for kindergartners through fourth-graders.
  ¢ The existing junior and senior high buildings would be renovated into a high school for ninth- through 12th-graders.

If voters are asked to approve a bond issue, they must be informed before they make up their minds.

And it’s important that as many voices as possible are heard now.