My Point of View, By Ebenezer Howe III

The next two paragraphs are from the Review and Comment section from the Minnesota Department of Education, which is posted on the Independent School District 241 website, http://www.albertlea.k12.mn.us/, under the Referendum Information tab on the home page.

“Albert Lea Area Schools, ISD No. 241, is proposing a single question bond referendum on May 8, 2018, that would authorize $24.615 million in bonding authority to finance facility upgrades at the high school / Hammer Field and a gymnasium addition along with a secure entrance at Halverson Elementary.

The largest project components are athletic field/stadium upgrades at Hammer Field. These include: a new entry plaza, concessions/ticket booth, artificial turf on the football field, bleachers, replacement of the existing structures adjacent to the football field, (that currently house locker rooms, training area, storage and meeting space) with a two-story, 16,000-square-foot fieldhouse that would house similar amenities, and other site improvements. Other proposed projects at the high school include finishing the pool locker room area and installing air conditioning in the existing high school gym.

I do not live in Albert Lea Area School District 241, so I don’t vote on this, and I don’t know how I would vote if I could.

So, today I would just like to unload on some of the things that came to mind when I have read some of the articles written on this bond issue. They will not be in any particular order.

First, why is it that almost all of these bond referendums are at special elections instead of at a general election? I submit that it is because they are more easily passed in special elections. Most folks don’t get much involved in elections until close to the time to vote; and if it were not for all the political ads, they probably wouldn’t then, either. With a single issue on the ballot, fewer people take the time to look into what is being voted on, and then only those with a strong feeling on that issue follow through by voting. All referendums are brought forward by those requesting them, not by the people opposed. One reason for having the special election in May was to make sure the work could be done in 2019. One of the items in the list of needed fixes in this referendum is finishing a high school swimming locker room not completed in 2000 with the rest of the building due to lack of funds back then. Really, 18 years with a not-completed locker room? Why rush it now?

A couple other things that added expense to the project are compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities) and Title IX (a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity). How many people were up in arms when ADA and Title IX were being passed for not including funding for compliance? How many legislators get held to task at election time for pushing laws with unfunded mandates? Not many, if any, but they sure will brag about all the good they did. One statement used in reasons to pass this is that federal funds may be withheld if we are not compliant with ADA and Title IX. Did ISD 241 ever have federal funds withheld for being out of compliance? As complex as the government is with regulations, I am sure they could find ISD 241 out of compliance with something if the referendum passes and the projects are completed as currently planned.

From the Jan. 24 Tribune: “According to Athletic Director Afton Wacholz, the updates are necessary because athletics are an extension of the classroom. To provide them with space and opportunities that are going to meet their needs is so important to us. Some of those may seem maybe like a luxury, but ultimately we are looking at the things that our students need to be successful.”

I definitely go along with Afton’s statement, but also never lose track of the importance of academics. Reading, writing and arithmetic are still the primary purpose of an entity such as ISD 241.

To me, it was good to see Zach Glazier win a state championship in wrestling, but it was more exciting to see his name on the straight A Honor Roll a couple weeks later.

Alden resident Ebenezer Howe is chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the local party members.