Friends,
I'd like to preface this by saying that although I tend to be passionate about certain things, I am not normally one to tell others what to think or do. However, ever since ISD 279 (Osseo Area Schools) announced that they were considering closing my children's neighborhood school last January, I have dedicated myself to learning about what is going on in our school district. What I have found out is greatly disturbing. So much so that I feel compelled to share with you my opinion regarding the upcoming school board election. I beg you to read the following. If you have children in the public school system, or will have in the future, their future depends on it. Thank you in advance for your time.
The upcoming election on November 4 is of the utmost importance to our school district. For those who need a little background information, here's the bottom line (IMO): If we do not get the District's spending in line with its income, there will be more budget cuts (teacher layoffs=larger class sizes, school closings, etc.) in future years. The current board members use "band-aid" type measures; making budget cuts when necessary but continuing to spend more than the District receives in revenue. This only leaves us with the inevitable: more huge budget cuts in just another few years. We must get some fiscally responsible people on the School Board and stop this madness!
It is time to change the direction of the Osseo School District’s Leadership and we ALL need to get involved to make this happen for our children. There are three school board seats up for election this year, and WE NEED ALL THREE SEATS to achieve an equal representation on the school board so that we can, at a minimum, halt the direction our district is currently headed: increased class sizes, closing of neighborhood schools, declining test scores, and a general disregard for community input on critical school district issues. We need board members that will fight for fiscal responsibility, strengthening the academics of our schools, placing a priority on neighborhood schools, and community involvement.
I AM SUPPORTING THE FOLLOWING THREE CANDIDATES AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO AS WELL:
1. DEAN HENKE (incumbent--he was the only Board member to oppose the school closings/repurposing this past Spring)
2. JENNIFER DEJOURNETT
3. TERESA LUNT
They have been endorsed by District 279 United (a group of parents and community members who are concerned about our public schools and who are getting involved to make changes for the better), because they all support neighborhood schools, fiscal responsibility, and value the input of parents/community members in making school board decisions. (Yes, it might be surprising that all School Board members do not feel this way. Though they may not admit it, the actions of many of the current School Board members makes it apparent that they do not value these things.) Henke, DeJournett and Lunt also have the strength of character to stand firm to these values and not bend under heavy "persuasion" from the Administration and other Board members who disagree with them. To learn more, you can find links to the candidates' websites on the District 279 United website:
http://www.district279united.com/r/
SO WHEN YOU GO TO VOTE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4 REMEMBER "HDL" (Henke, DeJournett, Lunt). It's the acronym for good cholesterol, if that helps you remember!
And just one more thing: Please spread the word to everyone you know (even those without children--see ***note** below)! It is estimated that each candidate will need approximately 20,000 votes to win, so we cannot be shy! The other school board candidates and their supporters surely will not be either!
Very sincerely,
Jennifer Haugen
***NOTE*** The footprint of the district is over 66 square miles, including all or parts of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Hassan, Maple Grove, Osseo, and Plymouth. The population of the district is approximately 121,000, and there are nearly 46,000 occupied housing units. Even homeowners without children in our district are affected because good schools positively impact home values (and declining schools negatively impact home values).
