As a fiscal conservative and one who is always very skeptical of any government spending, I wanted to share the reason I voted “yes” on the school referendum during early voting.

Albert Lea and many rural communities are at a crossroads. Business owners and families look at our schools and their facilities when deciding if they want to invest and move to our community.

Stagnation and a slow gradual slide into irrelevance is one option for Albert Lea. A community that is stagnant is afraid to take bold action and think about their future. It doesn’t invest in its future or its children and the community waits for a perfect time or a perfect plan. We can’t allow Albert Lea to go down the path of stagnation. 

Our community and it’s institutions are changing. From the hospital to a change of retail stores, we must always be thinking about how outsiders view our community and be willing to take action to improve our community to attract businesses and families. When a new business or new family tour our community, the schools is always one of the first stops. “Does this community take pride in its schools?  Does this community support its future?”

Some of the arguments for a “no” vote have included other costs that are coming down the pipeline for our community. Each decision needs to stand on its own. A “yes” vote will maintain our taxes at their current level. A “no” vote will allow taxes to decrease. I believe now is the time to make this investment. I appreciate the school board’s fiscal restraint in waiting till the current bond has expired before bringing this referendum. It shows good fiscal management.

Here’s why to vote “yes,” in my opinion:

• Current facilities were built prior to 1970 and are outdated.

• Gym and safety features would be added to one of our highest poverty level elementary schools 

• Facilities are outdated compared to communities our size in southern Minnesota

• A positive review of the project from the Minnesota Department of Education

• There would be no net tax increase to community

Brian Hensley

Albert Lea