Principal’s Corner by Mark Grossklaus

On May 8, the voters of Albert Lea Area Schools will have the opportunity to vote on the referendum to upgrade Jim Gustafson Field and field house, Hammer Athletic Complex and the upgrade to the Halverson Elementary School gymnasium. Information on each part of the referendum can be found at www.alschools.org/referendum.   

Each voter should take the time to educate themselves prior to going to the polls on May 8 or filling out their absentee ballot application in order to receive an absentee ballot, which can be found at www.co.freeborn.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/2448.

Since moving to Albert Lea in 2014 to have the privilege to become the high school principal, I have met a lot of people who are proud of their community and schools. They speak of the tradition of supporting the community and their schools. In 2000, the citizens of Albert Lea Area Schools opened a new high school to support the needs of the students of Albert Lea.

I have the opportunity to meet distinguished alumni and give tours to the former graduating classes from Albert Lea High School. They will tell me stories of the old high school and their wonderful times there. For those who return to the community for events, they are amazed by the high school and how wonderful it is. 

As I have spoken to many community members over the past four years, I have learned it was not an easy decision for people to build a new high school. They are proud of the “new” high school and what it has brought to the community.

It is once again the voters of Albert Lea Area Public Schools who need to make a decision on what the future looks like. As I have had the opportunity to present information in the community about the proposed upgrades, people have been receptive to listen and ask questions about what we have now and why we propose the changes. Many people understand that both Jim Gustafson Field and Hammer Complex need upgrades to serve the students and citizens of Albert Lea Area Schools for decades to come.

Many people are shocked by the varsity softball complex compared to the varsity baseball complex. They did not realize the field house does not adequately meets the needs of all of our student athletes, and how the students of Halverson Elementary are underserved by the gymnasium facilities they now have.

I know the citizens of Albert Lea Area Schools will educate themselves prior to going to the polls May 8 and will continue to support their schools as they have in the past, continuing their proud traditions.

​Mark Grossklaus is the principal of Albert Lea High School.