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It's easy for seasonal residents - folks who live in the area just long enough during the year to procure voting status - to criticize the Northland Community School Board For not conducting a thorough job of learning what residents in the district feel is important to have in the school district, to answer questions residents have, to demonstrate four different options for the future of a school in ISD 118.

It's easy for someone who only spends part of the year living in the area to be unaware of the more than 50 community meetings were held over the course of a year. It's easy to be unaware that professional outside experts came to conduct a series of focus groups in the communities, including Longville, Outing and Remer. Focus groups sifted through issues put forward by their constituents. Four different options were put to the school board, compiled from the priorities of these focus groups, presented by the outside experts.

The board, after review and consideration of all four options, unanimously chose the new building, the option offered to voters in May 2015. The referendum to be considered on November is a different dollar amount than was on the May ballot, because, a)building costs are increasing, and b) one additional section of the 1965 structure will be reused rather than demolished.

The board has done its job. The information has always been available for residents. Participation in the process has always been available to voters in the district. It's easy for residents to vote 'Yes' on November 9.[[In-content Ad]]

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