Dear Editor,

We had the privilege to work on the Grand Old Red Brick School in Bartlett this year. We have not always been members of BAC. Since 1989, many people have worked very hard on the old school to make it what it is today. There still is a lot of work to be done.

This old school is our heritage, not only for the students attending school here, but for everyone who attended Bartlett ISD. You might not have gone to the elementary school, but your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts or just a friend might have. Bartlett should be proud to have a wonderful historical landmark in your town and even more proud that the Old Red Brick School is standing after 100 years. It could stand another 100 years or more with a little tender care.

You can help make the school a better place by volunteering a few hours of your time, coming to the monthly meetings on the fourth Saturday of each month, becoming a member of BAC by paying a membership fee of $15.00 per year, or just by giving a donation. All of these can support the BAC. The City of Bartlett, the Bartlett School District, the Chamber of Commerce and the merchants could be a big help by supporting the Grand Old Red Brick School.

Just driving by the school makes us proud to have been students at the school, but it makes us prouder to have had a little time to help restore and repair this wonderful building. Our regrets are that we didn’t start 10 years ago when we retired.

No one has asked us to write this letter. We just know that more could be done if we all worked together on the Old Red Brick Store. If you have attended Bartlett ISD and could help in some small way, the school could stand forever. What happened to Bartlett High School could happen to this school, too. When the school is gone, it’s gone forever.

Edward and Dolores Neitsch

Austin, Texas