Laura Mackenthun, Sartell
As a Sartell resident, a parent of two Sartell High School graduates and one current Sartell High School student, and someone who has spent 30 years working in public schools, I encourage you to support the Sartell-St. Stephen school district levy on Nov. 5.
Sartell schools have a well-deserved reputation for providing outstanding opportunities and support to students. Throughout the years, our children have had caring and supportive teachers, have been challenged academically, have participated in activities and athletics, and have done so in appropriate and well-maintained facilities.
Thank you to voters who supported the current and future needs of the district by supporting a bond issue in 2016 which addressed facility needs within the district by building a new high school and remodeling other buildings. At the time, the Board of Education responsibly made the choice to not ask for a levy at the same time as the levy money would not be needed until buildings were completed and occupied, thereby providing a savings to residents.
The Sartell Board of Education has earned voters’ trust by clearly stating that the 2016 bond vote would be followed by a levy vote, listening to the community by cutting $1.3 million in response to a failed levy, leveraging additional state funding to decrease the levy request amount, and sharing what will happen if the Nov. 5 levy fails.
Passage of the levy will allow the district to maintain class size, support the operations of six buildings, and maintain and grow current PreK-12 offerings. The cost of operating an additional site is a very real cost and was planned for by the district in the intended levy at the time of the bond vote. Providing opportunities for students directly impacts those students’ futures.
I’m proud to be a resident of Sartell and a parent of Sartell students. I’ve seen the benefits of an education provided by Sartell schools in our own children and others. Providing these opportunities for current and future students is our responsibility as a community.
I encourage you to join me in voting Yes on Nov. 5.
