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So the School Board doesn't like discussion with its citizens. At its special meeting on August 6, it made clear that it would neither discuss nor answer any questions and instead proceed with a plan and approval of a November referendum that was defeated by the same citizenry in May, just three months ago.

It is disturbing enough that such a position is contrary to its own policy to "encourage discussion by citizens..." but it is reckless behavior in the face of concerns about the School District's costs and performance cited in an earlier letter appearing in this newspaper on August 4 and cited below.

Its author compared and contrasted the student cost and performace in our school district to student cost and performance of school districts in the area. In essence, the findings were that ISD #118 costs were higher and student performance was lower than every other school district!

These facts compel a different approach by the School Board; namely an open discussion followed by a feasibility study to determine if closure of the Northland School and a consolidation of the district in whole or in part with one or more surrounding schools districts is a better course of action and consistent with the best interest of the students and citizens of ISD #118. Building a new school will cost a ton of money and increase our taxes. Most importantly, how will such an enormous cost improve student performance?

The School Board should recognize that school referendums offer citizens the only opportunity to vote "yes" or "no" to a tax increase. Asking voters to approve the same plan just six months after its defeat and closing the door to any discussion in the face of material concerns raised by voters assure a loss of School Board credibility and the referendum itself. Then where are we?[[In-content Ad]]

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