Editorial: Election Day was really a sad day
Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Albert Lea, Alden-Conger and United South Central school districts’ requests were granted, but Tuesday really was a sad day.
It was hard to read the list of communities with failed school operating levies in Wednesday&8217;s paper. It was like looking at the obituaries to see who died.
Shame, shame, shame on state officials for putting schools in Minnesota in this funding situation in the first place. Inequality in funding of education needs to move to the top priority at the Legislature and in the Governor&8217;s Mansion.
The schools and supporters of quality education should not need to beg voters to pay for basic needs. The voters already elect state officials to make proper funding decisions for them, and it appears they have been too reluctant &8212; perhaps a better word is chicken &8212; to take action against Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
The funding system is out of whack as a result of former Gov. Jesse Ventura&8217;s &8220;Big Plan,&8221; which rearranged funding for education. The idea was meant for the short term but with Pawlenty&8217;s &8220;no new taxes&8221; campaign pledge Ventura&8217;s mess has stuck around for the long term. The Minnesota Miracle has been undone and now the state needs another miracle.
The fact is, Minnesota either can pay for quality education upfront or pay more down the road in jails, prisons, officers, welfare, child protection and court costs. A well-educated student is more likely to succeed in life and become a contributor to the state tax base than become a drain on it. Pawlenty&8217;s plan of failing to fund our schools is only going to cost everyone all that much more as these children become adults.
Thank goodness Albert Lea residents care about their children. Thank goodness Albert Lea voters see the benefits of quality schools. Thank goodness Albert Lea is a great place to live and work.
We are the fortunate ones. We did our part. Now, let&8217;s get the state leaders to do theirs.