I, as a Schroeder resident, previous town treasurer for 11 years, and Birch Grove Foundation board member for 14 years, encourage your support for the levy request for Birch Grove Community School and the appropriation levy request W.E. Connect (Birch Grove Foundation)-Birch Grove Community Center.
What are the benefits?
The school employs 13 people, supports 45 children, 28 K-5 students and 41 workforce families.
A public quality grade school, summer programming, non-school days programming, before/after school programming, a preschool, a daycare and community lunch.
W.E. Connect employs four people and the Birch Grove facility provides a multitude of services to the West End such as: . Senior Center (programming for events and education) with senior lunch every Wednesday, AARP Tax Aid, AARP safety classes and more. . Community Center (programming for indoor and outdoor events and community education) with cross country ski lessons and ski rentals, Ruby’s Pantry, Caregivers’ Coffee, W.E. Trader Sales, Red Cross emergency shelter, Pickleball, basketball, boot hockey, exercise room and W.E. Fit, ice skating rink and warming house, tennis court, outdoor brick oven, pavilion, playground, summer greenhouse, computer access and WIFI, free IT support, library, community room, tables, chairs, etc. . Lake Superior Hostel . Sawtooth Mountain Clinic . A business incubator with commercial kitchen and rentable space
This facility is an essential requirement for the ability to recruit young families in the local work force.
A community with no youth dies. We need youth to: start that new business, bring new ideas to inspire, to work, to donate time, pay taxes and sign up for the volunteer rescue squad or fire department…
A “yes” vote to both requests will cost a homeowner with a $100,000 home:
. $10,80 per year in Lutsen
. $25.91 per year in Tofte
. $27.15 in Schroeder
We as “township voters” have the privileged opportunity to give back to our community to help ensure our own viability. Vote yes!
Mary VanDoren
Schroeder
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