"Why are you doing this?" This is a question I have been asked many times in the last few weeks. The "this" is being on the steering committee for the upcoming WDC School District Referendum. The only response I have come up with is "because."
Because my husband and I have three young girls in the elementary school and they deserve to have the best education possible. Because, having spent quite a bit of time volunteering in our schools, I feel our teachers are some of the best in the business. Because there are many young, enthusiastic teachers who have had their positions cut from lack of adequate state funding. Because ...
There are many reasons to support this referendum, but as our logo says, "Vote Yes for Kids." It is not the fault of a third-grader that state funding has not kept up with rising costs. I have heard comments about how the school district has not done the job they should with the money it has. After sitting in a conference with 30 other school districts and hearing about the operating debt their schools are in, I was proud to talk about the positives we have at WDC. Many of these schools are attempting to pass their second, third or fourth levy in as many years. This year has the second highest number of school districts in the state of Minnesota looking to pass operating levies in history. We are not the only ones looking to keep our schools moving in a positive direction.
There are many people volunteering their time and talents to make sure voters in the Wadena-Deer Creek School District have the information possible to make an informed decision. A recommendation we received is to let people know how we -- meaning all the volunteers -- have spent our summer vacation. We have been in meeting rooms putting together the facts for voters to see. We are proud of this school and community and want people to understand the importance of keeping it moving in the right direction.
Please take the time to come to a public meeting or stop by an information table. If you have questions, please contact someone to get the answer you need. If for no other reason then to be able to come up with your own answers to "Because ..."
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Sarah O'Kane
Wadena
