Gopi Ramanathan, Sartell
Thirteen years in the Sartell-St. Stephen schools have revealed two things to me about our community. One: we place a high value on education and that has allowed our community to thrive and grow into what we know it as today. Two: there is a culture of excellence that is encouraged among not just students but teachers, parents and anyone with a relationship to the Sartell schools. This culture of excellence has created well-rounded citizens who are making impacts both as students and adults.
Recently, the Sartell schools have been prevented from realizing and attaining their true potential. It’s not because of the students, who are among the most successful in the state in academics, arts and athletics. It is not because of the teachers, who move Heaven and Hell to make sure students are able to explore and prepare for the future they want. The reason Sartell schools are not able to reach the excellence that would be normal of such high-caliber individuals is because facilities hold us back.
Our staff has done more than what is asked of them to give Sartell students the 21st century learning we need and deserve but 21st century learning calls for flexible learning spaces to allow for personalized learning for every student and secure buildings so students are not interrupted by the surrounding environment. 21st Century learning also calls for diversity of viewpoints among learners: something Sartell is not able to fully exploit because overcrowded facilities prevent us from having fully open enrollment. Overcrowding, which was caused in part by our school’s positive image drawing in new students, has also created a nuisance in the learning environment our staff works so hard to create and perfect. These are issues staff and students cannot fix alone.
If you truly value the educational excellence of our schools and want to alleviate the pressures of facilities that simply cannot keep up, on May 24, vote yes to bring greater success to our students and our community in the years to come.