St. Francis of Assisi had a prayer I memorized in my childhood. It began, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace . . . ”
Our schools have been a source of pride since Sartell-St. Stephen became an independent school district in 1969. Recently, several teachers were nominated for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award and one was a finalist. Sartell High School was recognized as the top non-charter high school outside of the Metro area.
Like many districts across this nation, ours has been embroiled in conflict for a few years now. Prior to Covid, conversations seemed respectful, and common resolutions were agreed upon. After that time, it seems, “sides” were taken. We cannot move forward if we continue to choose to look back at the misunderstandings and mistakes of the past. We need to forgive past grievances and move forward together or, as St. Francis said, “where there is injury, pardon.”
In an effort to move us forward, I would like to address the following:
Bonds and levies: I have heard, “They approved money for the new high school but did not have money to operate it. They tried to pass another vote to operate the high school and they never told us about this before the vote on the new high school.”
Response: To be fair, most people do not understand the differences between bonds and levies (Bonds are for buildings and levies are for learning). To many, it seems as though “the schools have their hand out again.” The new high school bond (for buildings) included clear communication that the operating levy (for learning) vote would occur in 2018 (the documentation is available on our website and in news articles). This vote was not for the operation of the high school but for the operations of the district.
Equity Audit: I have heard various allegations about the audit.
Response: There is no doubt in my mind that mistakes were made. This should not deter us from listening to the experiences of students or examining our practices. We have verified reports of students using the “N” word and other derogatory, disparaging language. We have other data from this school year that shows a potential concerning trend of students new to the district having significant struggles. Should we tolerate or ignore either?
Residential property taxpayers: I have heard, “I am tired of being a blank check (as a taxpayer) for the district.”
Response: I get it. Sartell-St. Stephen is largely dependent on residential property taxpayers, so it is considered a “property poor” school district. Said in a different way: There is not a good mix of commercial, industrial and residential properties to help ease the tax burden to the individual residential property taxpayer.
Please consider the following:
ISD 748 ranks 308 out of 328 districts in total per-pupil funding from all sources.
Due to the recent increase in residential property values, the state sees an increase in tax capacity in this community. With current equalization formulas, the state will provide less revenue to the district and the responsibility shifts to the local tax base.
The point is this: Our schools are not depending on a “blank check” from local taxpayers but, rather, surviving within the existing system of funding formulas.
We are human beings; we are not and never will be perfect. We need a healthy community partnership, not one stuck in past misunderstandings and mistakes. I welcome an opportunity to sit down with individuals and/or community groups to discuss paths forward.
We need a future not of despair but of hope. Thank you for the privilege of serving this community.
Tom Lee is the interim superintendent of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.
Interim District 748 Superintendent Tom Lee
