Time to Build Another High School "First Words" by Tim Wrisley and Troy Mills
With a decaying Carlsbad High busting at the seams, it's clear it's time to build a new one and renovate the old.

Having grown up in Carlsbad, we are in the truest sense products of our environment; an environment that includes — for both of us — experiencing our entire childhood education in the Carlsbad school system. That’s right, both K-12ers right here in Carlsbad. We trudged — walking barefoot, uphill both ways — through the elementary years at Magnolia (Tim) and Buena Vista (Troy), on to the growing pains of what was then called junior high at Valley, and eventually graduating as Carlsbad High School Lancers.

Looking back on those years at CHS, we reflect on some of the great teachers we had and the foundation for college that was built in those classrooms. But, naturally, it’s the activities outside of class that leave the most lasting impression on our minds: Friday night football games; float meetings; dances; hanging out with friends; and gaining our first tastes of independence. Those are the things that add richness to the high school experience. They are the ingredients that so commonly make up the fond memories of that time in our lives.

We had about 1,200 students at Carlsbad High School then, with about 350 graduating in the class of 1982. Even then, the school actually seemed to be aging less than gracefully, and we can recall it beginning to feel a bit overcrowded, too. Imagine that: Nearly 25 years ago Carlsbad High showed signs of becoming overcrowded with an enrollment of only 1,200.

Fast-forward to September 2006, and on the same land, in those same 50-year-old buildings, there are more than 3,000 students making their pilgrimage to Lancer Way everyday. Afternoon school bells create the city’s worst traffic on the bordering streets, as well as in the hallowed halls on campus. As the student body continues to grow, the number of football teams, theatre productions and student council members does not. The result is less opportunity for productive extracurricular activities for an ever-growing number of students.

The good news is that help could be on its way, and we can all play a key role in getting it here faster. Thanks to the foresight shown by a crafty school board in the ‘60s, when it purchased land on what is now College and Cannon, a second high school is now on the horizon. This November’s election will include on the ballot a school bond that will serve to fund the future of Carlsbad schools. The bond will include a total modernization of Carlsbad High, a brand-new high school on that plot of purchased land, plus facelifts for Buena Vista Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, Valley Middle School and replacing the portables at Pacific Rim Elementary and Aviara Middle School. In a nutshell, the bond will help bring all Carlsbad Schools up to 21st Century standards.

We can remember when Torrey Pines High School opened in 1974. It was gorgeous; it was like a college campus. (Pretty sure our campus envy began then.) We wished that our alma mater was as attractive as that one; we’ve hoped that our kids would have a school in Carlsbad that could match up to the new, beautiful facilities we’ve seen spring up around the county in recent years. Were we not loyal Lancers to think CHS was looking a little shabby?

We now realize that we are, in fact, not disloyal at all. We are proud, deserving and loyal. As a result, we’re committed to bringing our community, and our kids, our own beautiful, state-of-the-art school, maybe two.

There is no greater gift a community can give to its children than nice, clean, safe schools in which to learn and grow into our future outstanding citizens. In addition, quality schools contribute greatly to increase property values and help maintain an economically thriving community.

We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do that for the children in Carlsbad on this November’s ballot. You’ve heard the line, “If you build it, they will come”? They’re not going to come. They’re here! In droves, they’re here, packing Carlsbad High like freshman in a Volkswagen. We need to make more room for them, make sure they’re being paid attention to and give them plenty of opportunities to stay involved.

We have never used this magazine for political use, but we don’t really see this as a political issue. With this space available to us, we feel it’s our duty to issue a reminder that the greatest use of public funds in a community is to give our children a top-drawer education and the opportunity to cultivate their individual talents.

This November, please vote in support of this school bond. We think Carlsbad is the best city in the county, and we deserve schools that are a reflection of the quality that properly represents us.

See you at the polls,

Tim Wrisley & Troy Mills
Founders