Our family chooses Albany public schools for our three sons due to the excellent elementary and middle schools they attend, both of which are in new buildings.

Our oldest son started at Albany High this year; unfortunately, the high school requires significant work and is failing to meet the needs of students.

On Feb. 9, Albany voters will have a second chance to remedy this, and they should vote "yes" for a new high school.

The list of needs is large; the remedy is basic. The district needs:

(1.) A bigger school. The school is too small to handle enrollment, and enrollment is increasing. Classes are held in a separate building blocks away; student learning time is lost in travel. We need one school large enough for all students.

(2.) A new roof and other major infrastructure improvements. A leaky roof and a persistently malfunctioning heating system are not tolerable.

(3.) To take advantage of $117 million in state aid that will finance the majority of this project. With this state assistance, the annual burden for the typical Albany taxpayer will be less than a bag of groceries. The renovation proposal was developed through discussions with the entire community. The whole city will benefit: Students will utilize a safe and modern facility, enhancing their learning environment; homeowners' property values will increase as more families choose the district; and the entire city will benefit from the economic development driven by the project.

If Albany voters agree, our children will begin benefiting in September when they return to a high school that no longer has a leaky roof.

This investment is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Kristin Bonds Michael Kendall

Albany