The children of Ames deserve great elementary schools.

According to the Ames Community School District’s facilities manager, every elementary building has asbestos and possible lead-based paint. Passing the bond proposal would give elementary school children new or renovated buildings that eliminate these health hazards sooner rather than later.

Research over many years and in many districts shows that children have better outcomes in smaller schools. Having more buildings gives the district greater flexibility in case of unpredicted population shifts, or emergencies and crises, and provides more neighborhoods the educational, social and economic benefits of a school. Smaller schools help all students, including those who are at risk.

More space will cost more to operate, but less than half of 1 percent of the authorized budget. In the past, closing elementary schools has not necessarily reduced costs. In fact, in 2006, the year after Northwood and Roosevelt were closed, the cost of Support Services, which includes building operations, rose by more than $2,039,000. Fewer schools mean, among other things, more bussing, which currently costs $30,000 per route.

At a forum this week, John Hascall noted his disappointment that those who said the operating costs would be higher are ignoring the cost to increase capacity in a five-school district. The administration’s figures show that the cost of adding capacity to five buildings ranges from $192,000 to $323,000, depending on the configuration of buildings.

But bargain hunting when improving elementary education is unfair to our community’s children. They deserve better facilities and the educational benefits of smaller schools. At the same forum, one candidate spoke of his own education in Ames schools; another spoke of the wonderful education her adult children had received. Those former students benefited from a school system with at least eight elementary, neighborhood-based buildings. Why would we give today’s children less?