To the editor:

By the time this issue of the Bristol Phoenix and Warren Times is published, the results of the vote on the Bristol-Warren School District construction bond issue will be known, and while I remain opposed to the construction of the new high school at its present location due to decades of flooding in my neighborhood, I was disappointed to read of the criticism by certain residents leveled at school committee members Nicky Piper, Adam McGovern, and Sarah Bullard regarding their advocacy for approval of the bond.

I have had multiple conversations with Nicky and Adam regarding chronic flooding in my neighborhood caused by the present high school, and in those conversations both Nicky and Adam have been transparent, sincere, and respectful regarding their position, and I have no problem whatsoever with them advocating for passage of the bond. We elect school committee members to ensure the highest quality education possible for our children, and I'm in complete agreement with those members who feel the district needs a new high school, and the only issue where we disagree is the location of the proposed new school.

In every election when they have run, I have voted for Adam and Sarah, and if I lived in Warren I would have voted for Nicky, and while we disagree on one issue, I would surely vote for them again, and I respect and applaud them for their advocacy on behalf of the Bristol and Warren students. The education of our future leaders is of paramount importance, and if we want to see our children succeed in life, we must ensure that they are educated in modern and safe buildings which are conducive to learning, and I applaud and support Nicky, Adam, and Sarah in their efforts to provide our children with those facilities.

Mike Proto
Bristol