By Tonya Lynch, Guest Column

To the members of the school board who have recently wrote in to the Albert Lea Tribune expressing their thanks to the citizens who voted them in, you are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to inform us through articles in the newspaper, television, radio, public meetings, service club and group presentations, Internet and direct mailings on the facts.

The trouble about facts is that they can&8217;t speak for themselves. No matter how many times TEAM or our school board members say that citizens need factual information and profess to want citizens to know factual information, they still haven&8217;t informed the public on what is actually fact and what are only claims.

Instead, they contend that the only way a citizen could be informed about our upcoming vote is either to talk to them directly, attending a school board meeting or by going to the district homepage. Why is it or what is it that makes them think that they are the only place and the only people to contact in order to get facts on education?

How many articles have been written supporting the referendum? My estimate is at least two to four articles on any given day. Where are the facts that they speak of? They &8220;claim&8221; that supporting a referendum could show potential businesses, physicians, teachers and etc. that the city supports our schools thus creating more jobs and bringing in more families.

Fact: In 1997 we showed our support by voting in the building of a new high school and in 2000 we opened our doors to a beautiful new high school. The census population in Albert Lea that year was 18,356. In 2007 our population estimate is 17,758. We have lost an estimated 598 people.

The source of this information is the U.S. Census Bureau and can be verified by calling or going online.

Fact: Albert Lea High School has failed Annual Yearly Progress two years in a row.

This can be verified by going to the Minnesota Department of Education and looking at District 241&8217;s report card on the No Child Left Behind link.

Fact: Every school district is required by state law to send direct mailings with factual information to each homeowner. However, the district is not able to present facts that only persuade the voters to side with one position.

This can be verified by going to the Minnesota Attorney General&8217;s office and submitting a question or by calling directly.

Claim: It is our social responsibility and our taxable responsibility to vote for this levy.

Source: Tom Ehrhardt, Albert Lea Tribune guest column

Verified by: ?

Claim: Baby boomers in Albert Lea are a selfish group.

Source: Albert Lea Tribune editorial

Verified by: ?

Claim: If the community does not replace this levy and increase the level of per pupil funding, many wonderful student programs will be cut. Our ability to prepare students for their next stage in life would be greatly impaired.

Source: Albert Lea Area School District 241 newsletter

Verified by: ?

Claim: Local funding needed for quality education

Source: Albert Lea Area School District 241 newsletter

Verified by: ?

Claim regarding the opponents&8217; group: It is easy to make comments, some anonymous, with little or no information to support the statements. It was stated that they plan to educate the public, but I am not sure what source of information will be utilized.

Source: Ken Petersen, Albert Lea Tribune guest column

Unfortunately for our community, the school district referendums are not an absolute given toward academic success or community growth and prosperity this has been proven with verifiable facts.

Here&8217;s your assignment TEAM: Focus on what we all want for our students, our community and our future without blaming citizens who have the right to vote no. We have a right as part of this community to want better than what we&8217;ve been told repeatedly over the years. Let&8217;s educate and accept responsibility now!

Tonya Lynch is a co-creator of LEARN and a citizens&8217; rights advocate.