The contract is signed and the money — well most of it — has been approved by Gov. Bob Riley. The new Selma High School will become a reality and along with it will come more debt and more expectations.

It has been said by many, including those in favor of the proposed new high school, that a building does not teach the children, but rather it is the teachers, the staff and the administration who work in the building who are tasked with teaching the leaders of tomorrow.

In an economic and governmental funding environment that doesn’t even allow students the “luxury” of taking books home to do homework, we find it curious the school system would be looking at building a new high school.

At the same time though, we agree the facilities at Selma High School are below average and need to be upgraded.

It is a dilemma facing those elected and hired to those positions of leadership and we do not envy the tasks they are asked to confront.

When the ground is broken on the new construction we will join in the excitement, but we also challenge the superintendent and members of the board of education that the financial foundation of the school system must be strengthened and fundamental changes and tough decisions must be made for true improvements to become a reality.

It will be nice to have a new high school, that’s for sure, but if the backbone of the system remains broken, then the new school will be a nice wrapping on a sub-par present.