Sonja Babich, Sartell
Dear Sartell-St Stephen School District residents: Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 24. On this day, there will be a very important vote that will determine the future for almost 4,000 students. I am writing to you as a proud graduate of Sartell High School. I work for a local Sartell business and through my volunteer work, I have reconnected with the school district through serving as a board member for the Sartell- St. Stephen Education Foundation.
Professionally, I became a member of the rapidly growing Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce. This year, I am honored to serve as Sartell Chamber president. Both of these volunteer experiences have allowed me to meet many local business professionals, educators and students. In the process of building these relationships, I have become extremely familiar with the needs of our school district: safe and secure buildings, flexible learning spaces and more overall space to accommodate the immediate space crunch.
If you were a Sartell Sabre (or parent or grandparent of a Sabre) and you currently live in the Sartell-St. Stephen community, it’s without question you should be voting yes. When I was a student in District 748, I did not appreciate all the opportunities offered to me. Then I went away to college and met hundreds of students from different communities who might not have had the same opportunities I did. It was then I realized how well my Sartell-St. Stephen education prepared me for college and beyond. Now I am part of a strong alumni network that is thankful for the amazing opportunities that were offered in academics, arts, athletics and community-service organizations. Now we must consider paying it forward to the current and future Sabres with our yes vote.
The growth of our school district is what keeps the Sartell-St. Stephen community alive and growing, thus a great place to live and raise a family. The community must come together and support our best asset: the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. I will be proudly showing my Sabre pride and voting yes on May 24.