Vote ‘no’ because it’s your right, not because there wasn’t enough informationThere has been enough information generated about the Luverne School District’s proposed operating referendum. It’s time to make a decision and head to the polls. If something needs clarifying, it’s time to take initiative and call school board members or the district office, 283-8088.As a person in the information business, I can vouch for local efforts to get the information to the public.There have been multiple mailings to all property owners in the district. There have been numerous news and radio reports over the past several months. And volunteers have even called homes to see if there were questions that needed answering.Short of being spoon-fed the information, every district property owner should by now have some idea why the school is asking for an operating referendum.There haven’t been public meetings, because prior to last year’s failed referendum in Luverne, nobody showed up, and recently in Worthington, those public meetings also generated little participation.Residents who care enough to attend a public meeting are also passionate enough to contact a school board member or school administrator.Anyone who’s been paying attention knows there are lots of good reasons to vote "yes" on the referendum question Tuesday.oDistrict costs that far outpace district revenues is the simple reason the voters are being asked for money.oKeeping quality in Luverne schools is the more important, long-term reason for approving the referendum.A failed referendum won’t cause noticeable, horrible results in the short term. Our quality staff will creatively make sure kids get what they need to meet state and federal standards. But long-term, that quality staff may be tempted to work for districts that can pay more and expect less "creativity" (extra hours, duties and larger classrooms).Eventually, school will be reduced only to meeting the grade. All other "fluff" like music and advanced learning opportunities, will be sacrificed in order to live within the budget.Families considering moving to Luverne may no longer see its school system as the bright and shining beacon of the community that it is today.To be fair, there are also reasons to vote "no" on Tuesday.oVote against it because you truly can’t afford it. For some people in a $100,000 home, the extra $18.25 per month might actually be a burden.oVote against it because you simply don’t care about education and its effect on the local economy. Nobody said you have to care, and the fact that you have that right to vote your mind is the beauty of the American democratic process.But don’t vote against it because "there wasn’t enough information."That sounds to me like a "no" vote with a guilty conscience.
