To the Henning School community,

As a newer member of the Henning community, I would like to share some very selfish reasons why the Henning School District Referendum is important.

I do not have children that have attended or will attend the Henning School. My family does, my friends do, and our neighbors do as well. As a citizen of Henning,  it is important to be proud of where we live and the community we are representing. Let’s face it,  who wants to live in a town with nothing to attract future residents, possible visitors, or people from other communities coming to spend time and money in out town?

The school is a large part of any community and it’s heartbeat. Nothing pulls a town together like a successful school. 

Let’s look past the fact that most of us are not using appliances in our homes from the 1960’s.  Parts of the school’s building is.  In what continues to be a never ending winter, the small gym is used for a cafeteria most of the day.  So, it is unavailable to be used as a gym. We are all getting cabin or spring fever, so imagine being a teacher or a student having very limited access to a space to utilize for activities all winter long.

Also, how can we overlook the state recommendations for adequate educational spaces, which the school is failing in several categories?

Something none of us should overlook in our current everyday life is Safety. Everyone needs to be safe while learning, working, or participating.

We need to update parts of our school. 

Here come the selfish reasons:

Everyone knows that school activities help to mold our adult lives. Whether its a class, a school club, band, choir, sports, a committee, or a teacher.  All of these can help people become better adults. Having the space to do any of these things is very important. Henning is the only school in the eight community conference without additional space to be utilized for these kinds of activities.  Imagine what hosting a knowledge bowl, a sporting tournament, a band or choir competition, or a community event could bring to our town.  People spending time and money in our town is what we want.  Having more opportunities to stay local means less time on buses for the students, less commuting for the parents, and more time enjoying what we have right here in our town. 

The school’s sports team are a perfect example of the impact the school has on the community.  I started attending the basketball games because it was simply something to do. Little did I know how great the teams are!  I had not been to a basketball game since I was in high school in 1985 when I was in the Pep Band. I now proudly own several Hornet and Bulldog shirts.

Here is the most selfish reason of all…High School activities was the door to a 30 year career in the entertainment field for me. Because I stumbled into an open audition for a musical,  I was able to learn skills that allowed me to travel the world as a performer and an entertainment manager. I credit that career to high school teachers and activities that had the space to teach, practice, and rehearse the skills needed for that career. 

I am invested as a home owner.  A thriving community means a better return on our investments.  I am invested as a fan/audience member.  How proud are you to attend the veteran’s Day Program, or the musical, or the Love Concert, or to cheer on your favorite team?  Our community is better because of the school.  Let’s make it an even better community and take care of the school. 

The future is now, and now we can help the future.  Some of the issues will only get more expensive with time.  

The school’s health, safety and adequacy is also our community’s to take care of. 

Please consider voting yes for a safe, updated, and possible life changing educational experience, and please vote YES again to build opportunities for our students, our school, our community, and our future. 

Thank you for your very valuable time.

Bill Balfanz,

Henning