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Many individuals have asked my opinion on the current issues and factors impacting Northland Schools. I have for the most part held my emotions in check because I live in Cohasset and my children attend the Grand Rapids schools, so, I have no vote in ISD 118 issues. However, I pay my fair share of taxes to support the school. Woodland Bank has donated thousands of dollars in support of ISD 118. And, I am a 1978 graduate of Northland.

Frankly, what I have observed and read has been quite disillusioning. So, my primary reason for writing this letter is to address my view of Northland Schools and why I believe it is a tremendous place to send your children and why I am very hopeful for its future.

My first area of hope is related to the strong alliance Northland has formed as a member of the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative (IASC). As a Trustee of the Blandin Foundation I see first hand the investment that has been made to education through IASC. IASC is comprised of schools in Grand Rapids, Hill City, Big Fork, Deer River, Nashwauk, and Coleraine. Through IASC we see strong collaboration of technology and educational achievement. It is through this creative alliance that will help Northland Schools stand out. Blandin has granted over $7 million to IASC mostly for Invest Early education programs but also for strategic planning and formation of a merged online learning partnership and technology plans. A recent article in the Grand Rapids Herald Review on August 22, 2010 highlighted a recent example. "With a planning grant from the Blandin Foundation, IASC schools are working together on developing a regional hub to coordinate technology services to each district included in IASC. Part of this plan is to take the different systems of communication, such as data, voice, and security, for instance, and combine them into a single system in order to streamline overall efficiency." As a further collaborative effort, all of the IASC area schools participated in an initiative this past spring to bring together numerous stakeholders from all of the districts including Northland to discuss common themes and to find new and creative ways to educate our children. I believe the synergies during that three day conference will help lead to positive changes in our local IASC area schools. I believe these collaborative measures will help Northland become stronger and find new and creative ways to deliver education.[[In-content Ad]]Another reason for hope are Blandin grants for scholarships and early childhood that give Northland a distinct advantage that other schools outside the area don't have. These grants are significant and can be used for four years of post secondary education. Just in the past 5 years, scholarships to Northland Students total $280,200. This past year they awarded 31 scholarships totaling $93,100 or an average of $3,000 per student. Moreover, we have a strong local initiative with the Northland Scholarship fund which also provides four year scholarships. Blandin has invested $929,500 since 1995 directly for Northland School District and of that total $375,000 was awarded for early childhood programs. We expect this investment in education to lead to children who are ready to learn and to perform at higher levels throughout their educational years.

A great hope that gets lost in all of the dialogue is the high level of quality teachers that reside at Northland. I understand that they are working without a contract but I have never heard of anyone not willing to step up to help a child in whatever form is necessary. Despite the turmoil I believe they will continue to focus on the reason they are here and that is to educate our children. Did you also know that students can receive college classes in High School? Northland has several teachers who are able to teach college classes so students can receive college credits without having to leave the high school.

I greatly believe that with this collaboration and programming Northland Schools will provide a first class education for its students. It is now my hope that this collaboration can extend to the communities of ISD 118. Maybe for the first time in my memory, we can now focus on our overall support of education instead of where our buildings are located. We cannot rely on the Blandin Foundation or IASC to make our schools great, it must come from the communities and engaged citizens who focus on a long term vision.

There are some real operational and financial challenges facing the school district. We need leadership and that is why I would advocate that Mike Doro be asked to stay on for as long as necessary until a suitable replacement can be found. Moreover, I would also suggest that Mr. Doro assist in finding a permanent replacement. I would also advocate that current Chairman of the Board Bill Hansen be given a fair chance to move the School Board forward without the distractions of the past. I believe both will do the honorable thing and work hard at supporting the long term interests of Northland Schools.

Finally, we need the districts community members to fully support Northland Community Schools. Northland is a true community asset that must be supported locally because of its importance to all of the districts communities, not only for our children's education, but also for our economy and sense of community. The Northland Community School will provide a great education for its students and in my mind will have a long and distinguished future serving our children for generations to come. That is why I have hope.

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