What are the real facts?

From: David and Arla Huser
Lester Prairie
Wow! After reading the Herald Journal last week on the breakdown of the costs for each area of this proposed referendum, we should all be voting no.
We, in fact, are not voting for $5,200,000, because now the total package has reached $7,795,000. We were told at a community meeting at Central Cafe that this $1,910,000 would be used only if the referendum failed, not “plus” a voter approved referendum.
We would have almost $2 million to use if needed, so why not use this to upgrade the boiler, the kitchen and ventilating the science lab? Who does the school board think is going to fund the extra $2 million?
You guessed it! We are! The taxpayers! Is this on the tax calculator on the school website? No.
The wool is being pulled over our eyes. All we have been hearing is, “This is for our children, our community.” We read about how great our school is and then we read on page 6A of last week’s Herald Journal about teens and sexting in our community. What about the bullying going on in our school? Sports seems to be more important.
We feel before we approve this huge amount, the school board needs to address some real issues going on in our school, not concentrate on spending our money. We need $2,137,974 for upgrading the kitchen/commons area? We could hire a food service for less than that. The school board fired the janitors and hired a professional cleaning service. Why not fire the cooks, too, and create even less job opportunities in our town?
We have been accused of not knowing the facts. The truth is, we have not been given all the facts. One week before the election we are told our school plans to spend over $5 million, but in fact they will be spending closer to $8 million if this passes.
Get out and vote no Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the high school.

Where there is a will, there is a way

From: Shirley Dibb
Lester Prairie
Writing a letter to the editor is rather unusual for me. When things bother me, I ask my Lord for advice. This morning, I woke up with a feeling in my heart to write a letter, but to write with “kindness,” and that is not always easy. Then, I remembered the words of my mother: “always speak kind words to someone who speaks bitterly.” Good advice, but show me, Lord. He did. Right there in the Good Book, Proverbs 15, v 1. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
So many questions were asked in the “vote no” letters, that I must ask, did you read Mr. McNulty’s articles in the paper? Did you attend one of his many presentations? Did you take the tour he led the other night that was open to the public? These questions were addressed there.
Granted, your questions are important. Ask Mr McNulty or the board and you will receive an answer. They answered mine. In asking, how was your approach or attitude, kind or bitter?
I remember in the ‘60s when the state was going to close our school because it was inadequate. A core group of parents met at our home, we walked to the school and interrupted a school board meeting. We inquired what was wrong and what could we do?
One of the wealthiest men in town was angered because his taxes were going to be too high. I answered his rebuttal by telling him that Wally and I were ready to give up the little we had, so our children could graduate from this school, as we had. The end result was the school we have today and we, as parents, lived without and were happy.
So now, I thought “what can I live without today?” I am alone now and I have two TVs. I can only watch one, so I called my TV carrier and asked “what can I do to lower my account?” I was able to remove all the extras from the one I rarely watch and I cut three features from my active TV. (just don’t take my Twins’ station, the Big Ten, Channel 11-1, weather and music) I ended up by saving $39 a month.
I got rid of my cell phone and its contract and bought a Trac phone, which costs approximately $7 a month.
I have saved enough for the extra taxes that I will have to pay. As the saying goes, “those that have more will have to give more including taxes.”
One comment really bothered me and it was, ”do the students really need a bright, nice, fancy commons with cozy couches. Is this necessary?” Yes, it is.
Granted, the concern for our children is the testing, enrollment, and academic leadership etc. They also need to feel proud of the enviroment around them. It gives them a feeling of self-esteem and happiness. Just like you do with your homes. Doesn’t a fresh coat of paint on your walls or a new cozy couch make you feel good?
Yes, what you say about the problems of budgets and economy is frightening, but what have you given up?
Gas is up. Do you drive less? Food is up. Do you eat less?
The main fact is this; our school is old and needs remodeling and we need it now. It will cost more two years from now. State requirements must be met, and this new design will meet the needs of repair and classroom necessities.
In closing, may I ask all the “no” people to do this. Tonight, before you do your evening devotions, read Ivan Raconteur’s article found opposite the letters on page 16A in the Oct. 24 edition of Herald Journal, “Beware of POD people.”
It carries a great message for every one of us. Oh yes, be sure to read Proverbs chapter 15, verse 1, and if you have time read verse 4 also. May you wake up tomorrow morning with a happy heart and thank God for all the blessings He has given us and our children.
Let us all show more “kindness to one another.”
I am voting “yes.”

Democracy means every vote counts

From: Robert “Bob” Carlson
Lester Prairie
I want to applaud everyone for their interest over the upcoming school referendum. I would like to make it very clear that the school board has done a lot of research and has been very “prudent” with the current remodeling proposal of the school.
Energy Services Group was asked to assist the school in order to find ways to save money by cutting utilities expenses and provide a better environment for students and staff. The current remodeling project was scaled back because of the concerns with cost.
The definition of prudent is, to be cautious in managing one’s activities and/ or practical and careful in providing for the future. The school board has taken a lot of time to look over the plans and specifications and has been careful with not asking for any more than what is needed.
School board members were elected to make decisions for the majority and, when necessary, to ask the voters of the district for approval to spend money. I don’t want my property taxes to go up either, but that is why the school board is asking voters of this district for permission to proceed.
Democracy is defined as a form of government in which all the people have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development, and passage of legislation into law.
The school board is asking for your vote “yes” or “no” to remodel the school to make it a better academic and energy-efficient environment for students and staff. We want your vote Tuesday Nov. 8.

Vote yes for our school and community

From: Stacy Meyer, Douglas and Sheila Jilek, John and Julie Lange, all of Lester Prairie
Passing the Lester Prairie school referendum Tuesday, Nov. 8 is a solid investment. As you talk to young families who are ready to buy their first house and start a family, one of the first things they look at is the school district.
A solid education, opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities, teachers that have a love of teaching, a friendly staff, and an up-to-date facility, all play a part in making a great school.
By keeping our school facility up-to-date, Lester Prairie will continue to attract and keep young families and businesses to our community.
More families and more businesses mean more people to share in the cost of our school, and lower taxes for us all.
When you vote “yes” Tuesday, Nov. 8, you’re not only investing in our school, but our community as a whole.

Plan for improvements is prudent

From: Jeff & Sally Engen, Tom & Linda Engelke, Joe Miller, Ralph & Donna Machemehl, Shirley Dibb, Donny & LaJean Hoof, all of Lester Prairie
In talking about the upcoming Lester Prairie referendum  Nov. 8, some have said we need to be prudent. In other words, we need to be cautious and look at other options.
In a community of 1,600 voters, it’s hard to get everyone to agree on anything. That’s why we elect members to the school board to oversee our public school.
In the past  few years, they’ve had some difficult decisions to make. They spend our tax dollars carefully and our school relies on donations from our community and organizations for many items.
In the summer of 2010, the board and administration began discussions on the aging of our facilities and our financial challenges of doing more for less.
Our goal was to improve our school’s learning environment while reducing utility and maintenance expenditures. The board sought out the professional services of Engineering Services Group (ESG) to provide analysis and recommendations for improving the efficiency of our school facilities. In the months that followed, the board’s Facilities Management Committee and the administration worked closely with ESG to develop the plan for the necessary improvements.
The plan was then presented to the entire board. The board agreed unanimously to move forward with the proposed plan for improvements.
In our school, over 400 students and over 50 teachers and staff learn and work every day. As a result of looking over the state of the school facility, the school board has come to us, the taxpayers, with a proposal that addresses current needs of our school as well as making us more competitive as a whole.
We believe the administration and the school board have proceeded cautiously and with the best interest of our students, staff and community in mind. We support their recommendations and urge you to vote “yes” Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Now is the time to update our school

From: Rich and Cheryl Bayerl, Mike and April Lee, all of Lester Prairie
Everyone likes a good bargain, right? Especially in these economic times, we need to be cautious about how we spend our money.
By passing the bond referendum now, we take advantage of three key things:
1. Our current bond that will be paid off in February 2012. According to last week’s Herald Journal article, a residential property with an estimated market value of $100,000 will have a tax increase of $136 per year for the new bond. However, that increase is offset by the decrease we will experience when the current bond is paid off in February. In reality, the tax increase experienced by a $100,000 homeowner will be $85.
2) Interest rates are at a 35-year low.
3) The cost of required school renovations will be lower by doing all of the work at once, rather than piecemeal.
Much of the work proposed is unavoidable, and the improvements will make our school more competitive with surrounding districts.
This referendum is a smart use of our tax dollars. By voting “yes” Tuesday, Nov. 8 , you will be investing in our school and our community.

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