According to TheFreeDictionary. com, definitions of infrastructure are: 1. An underlying base or foundation, especially for an organization or system 2. The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society…including schools…
Thelast time there was a school levy, we voted yes for the investment in the physical infrastructure of the school. We are voting yes in this referendum, again to invest in our school district’s infrastructure. This time, however, our yes vote is investing in the people component involved in providing the “basic services” in our children’s education.
State funding is based on student enrollment. Student enrollment continues to decline yet we are still expected to provide a top-notch, 21st century education for every child. Federal and state mandates must be fulfilled; yet inadequate funding is provided to meet those mandates. Technology expectations are embedded throughout all curriculum and communication areas, but funding for maintaining such systems is again woefully inadequate. And the human components what we call the human infrastructure—which are our teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals, and other caring staff, are doing more with less, or worse, they are facing permanent cuts.
In the Oct.2, 2010 edition of the Cook County News Herald,
in the article Help kids find their passion
it said:
“The10 most common sparks among American teenagers are creative arts, athletics, academics, reading, helping others, spirituality or religion, nature and the environment, developing life values such as joy, tolerance, or caring, supporting animal welfare, and leadership.”
When we think back to our school days, these sparks had human faces, whether it was a teacher, coach, classroom aid, secretary, or bus driver—the human infrastructure. The sparks ignited a passion for books and music.
Our children all benefited from the nurturing shown by all
staff members through their K-12 years. Sparks started in this school district ignited a thirst for knowledge resulting in engineering and military endeavors, teaching positions, math and business careers, and several undergraduate and graduate degrees. Hard work, self-discipline, and teamwork were developed through extracurricular sports and coaches who cared intensely to develop these ethics, while a lifelong appreciation of art and expression was nurtured by their band and art teachers.
We have talked to people who are voting no. There are parts of the proposal that have turned them off. However, should the referendum fail, we fear for students who will miss the opportunities to have sparks ignited in their lives.
Please
vote yes with us to invest in our “people infrastructure.” Vote yes to support our children’s education. Vote yes to insure their future.
Shelby and Lyle Anderson
Grand Marais
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