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I have been wondering where the information for the Northland School District 118 November referendum is! I haven't received any mailing from the school district or seen any posting in the district's official newspaper.

For the second time in 6 months school officials are bringing a multi million dollar bond (27 million after adding 1 million for inflation) issue to the voters. During a public meeting I attended last May regarding the school rebuild and remodel, I was told the school's 10 year warranted roof was leaking after 12 plus years and the schools poor air quality was identified 25 years ago. I wondered why building maintenance was being ignored. Then I asked about the school's strategic plan and was told it had been thought about, but a decision was made to purchase a couple of laptops instead of developing a plan. A strategic plan for a school would focus on 3 things...where the school is now, where the school wants to be in 3,5,10 and 20 years and how is the district going to get there. The plan would provide direction with a clear vision of what the school is trying to achieve by setting priorities, focusing energy and resources, strengthening operations and ensuring everyone is working towards a common goal in agreement. Without this plan I wonder how a school board can make a decision to burden taxpayer's with 27 million (actually closer to 45 million during the 30 year pay off). Even available literature recommends that rural MN schools use energy more efficiently, conduct routine building maintenance and renovate existing structures before building new ones.

Perhaps we need to take close look at the district's budget. Over the last few years Northland Schools has created a rather large debt, with current debt being over 1 million in long term and over 1 million in short term debt. The cost of servicing these debts is over $100,000 yearly.

All that put aside, how are our kids fairing? There seems to be a great variety of activities to participate in and the teaching staff is averaging over 10 year tenure and around 20% have a master's degree. In spite of that, Remer Elementary is a MN Focus school which means, as a Title 1 school, it is functioning in the bottom 10% of MN elementary schools and is receiving additional support form the Regional Center of Excellence.

The bottom line? What do we want for our kids? Please cast an informed vote on November 9th at Northland School or apply early for an absentee ballot through the Cass County Auditor.[[In-content Ad]]

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