To the editor:
The upcoming Hastings, MN School Board election on Nov. 7, 2023 is an opportunity to bring back an emphasis on academics. ISD 200 academics have been declining vs the state average for years. Our children fell further behind and are yet to catch up after the COVID pandemic. The community needs to bring back to the School Board candidates who are dedicated to work with the new Superintendent to make academics their number one priority. As a resident, I was appalled to learn that the opportunity to speak publicly to the entire Board had been done away with a couple of years ago by the majority of the current board. They are elected public servants who work for us and they should be willing to receive
public feedback during their meetings. A few months ago the opportunity for the public to address the entire Board was restored. However, this is not part of the televised meeting, thus depriving those not able to attend. Is this not a lack of transparency? Parents, grandparents, and taxpaying citizens need to get involved and bring back
academics as a priority along with an Open Forum for the sake of transparency and to give citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions before the entire School Board and the public. That is why as a grandparent, former teacher, and former elected Mounds View School Board member I will be voting for M. Millner, J. Wiederholdt-Pine, P. Biermaier, and N. Blanchard on November 7, 2023.
Lynda Taylor