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Over the past few weeks you may have heard or read about how Northland Schools are not providing a sound education to the students of our community. The School has been portrayed as failing, it should be closed, and the students should be divided up and sent to neighboring schools. As parents of four children in the district, we would like to offer a different perspective. This school is not failing our children, in fact, with basketball, football, baseball, math masters, band, and their everyday classes they are exhausted by bed time! Most importantly, they look forward to going to school every day. My wife and I volunteer both with after school activities and directly in the classroom and we see the effort that gets put into every student to help them grow and prosper.

The questioning of the school's performance and even whether the school should continue to operate have both been raised as reasons why you should vote no for the upcoming referendum. As a member of a four generation family that has been educated by Northland Schools as well as having spent most of my life in this area I would like to focus on reasons why you should vote yes for the updating of the Northland Community School.

Facilities: We do not have facilities that are competitive with local schools. From inadequate classroom size and antiquated lab stations in our science rooms to the lack of a 2nd full size gymnasium that is ADA compliant, our facilities do not match up with our neighboring communities that have all passed referendums in recent years to update their schools.

Health and Safety: The schools is currently lacking in a central access that allows for control of who exits and enters the building. Another point of concern is the area where students are picked up and dropped off by car is commingled with where the busses park. Students are forced to weave in and out of the busses to get to their vehicles that are located in the parking lot. Finally, per state requirements, the air quality must be improved and any asbestos must be removed from the building.

It is this final point that has led us to the question that needs to be asked when making your decision in the upcoming referendum. Do we want to spend money on Band-Aid fixes for first, the required air quality and asbestos issues, then the roof, and who knows what is next, or do we want to invest in the facility improvements that will not only address the air quality and asbestos concerns, but also make the Northland School competitive with all of the areas schools as well? Keep in mind that it is not the school board or the school administration that will benefit from a yes vote, it is the students that will benefit from having the same opportunities that the students in our neighboring districts currently enjoy.[[In-content Ad]]

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