June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Vote "yes" May 12
To the Editor,
I attended the school in the mid-60s, when it was brand-new. It was exciting to be in a new building, with new spaces and facilities. That was five decades ago. The existing building now presents some serious challenges. The school no longer meets indoor air quality standards. The spaces for learning no longer meet today's science, technology, and physical education standards. The building itself no longer meets state codes for such things as window glazing, roofing, and handicap accessibility. The locker rooms are in violation of Title IX rules. The music program at the school is growing, and needs space for classes and practice. The cafeteria and common areas do not provide the flexibility needed to allow students to eat and gather in a positive environment.
The bonds to be authorized, if the vote passes, will provide funding for a new school building facility to keep up with 21st century education standards. The building structure will be energy-efficient, handicap accessible, and will in fact be a multi-use space, accessible to the entire school district as a community.
The new building will be a facility that students, teachers, as well as district residents will be proud of. Students who are proud of their school "home" will do better, perform better. Teachers who are proud of their building, and their students, will perform their jobs better. And district residents, whether they have children in school or not, will find that an improved school and its inhabitants will in fact improve their home property values.
If you vote "no" on the referendum, you will find a tax increase on your property anyway. The school board must bring the building up to required state health and safety air quality standards. For more than 10 years, school boards in the district have avoided these improvements to avoid a tax increase. It can no longer be avoided, and needs to be addressed. This approach is just a short-term fix, and after this is completed, down the road there will be other "fixes," repairs, and structural improvements. This would mean another tax levy in at least five years.
A new building would be a long-range solution, costing district residents less money in the long term rather than Band-Aid problem solving over and over.
The bond referendum vote will take place on Tuesday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at a single combined polling place established at the Northland High School Gymnasium in Remer. If you are not registered to vote, contact the Cass County Auditor-Treasurer. You may also register at the polling place on May 12. Voting may also be done by absentee. Absentee ballot applications may be obtained from the County Auditor-Treasurer's office, or at the following link: http://www.isd118.k12.mn.us
Again, I encourage you to vote "yes" on May 12 so that you can continue to be proud of your students, your school district, and your community.[[In-content Ad]]
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