To the Editor,

I grew up in Henning, attended school in Henning, and returned to Henning after college to raise my family. I have worked as a social worker outside of Henning for my entire career but choose to commute and live in the Henning area.  We live just outside of the district, but open enroll our kids because we believe in the spirit of the community and in the education and opportunities the Henning School District provides. While this referendum won’t directly impact our taxes, we’ll gladly support and pay for similar needs for the district we live in. What better investment than in the kids of our surrounding communities!?

Updates, renovations, and additions to the Henning School are needed simply to meet basic standards for accessibility, health, and safety of our students. If we’d like our school to remain the hub of our community, we’re going to have to invest in it. The first question on the ballot addresses a myriad of essential issues. Sections of the building are 70 years old.  The “new” sections are nearly 30 years old.  The HVAC needs replacing so our kids aren’t wearing winter gloves during class while those in other rooms are so warm, they are struggling to stay awake, or the teachers are having to open windows during the winter months.  Parking needs to be addressed so that the elderly folks coming to activities at the school aren’t walking from blocks away on icy sidewalks or roads. Basic security and layout changes are needed to support a safe plan for access, drop off, and pick up. Bathrooms and playground equipment aren’t accessible for students with physical limitations. I have toured the school twice in the last several months.  Among other things, it was alarming to learn flooring in elementary classrooms is the original flooring from 70 years ago—asbestos and all.  Sidewalks in disrepair, roof areas needing replacement, the fire alarm system, flooring with asbestos, water leaking issues—these are current and active problems in the Henning school!  

I was pleased to see that a dedicated commons area is part of the current plan.  As a family that lives several miles out of Henning, my kids often have time between school and an event or practice and can’t go home.  Without a dedicated commons area or gathering space, my kids most often sit on the floor somewhere in the school and do homework. Think of a student that is open enrolled to Henning who may live 20-30 minutes from school that can’t drive yet. Consider how meaningful a commons area would be in this type of situation? A dedicated student area would give kids a space to stay, to belong in, and that is theirs to use and help take care of. Never mind the numerous other things this space could be used for!

The second question on the ballot is related to the new multipurpose activities’ gymnasium. I’ve heard people be dismissive of this as a need, but I argue that it is just as important. Our largest gym used for most activities and performances is 60 years old and the “new gym” is about 30 years old.  These two spaces do not adequately address the needs for performing arts practices and performances, physical education, athletic practices and events, a cafeteria for all students, inside recess when needed, and various other school activities Henning is so well known for. My kids enjoy being student-athletes and our family spends a lot of time inside gymnasiums for practice and games. They also take part in band, choir, musicals, chamber choir, and have taken piano lessons since young elementary ages. There is constant competition for these activity spaces, both during school and after, and ultimately no activity is served well by our current set up. If we want well-rounded graduates, we must offer a school that supports well-rounded opportunities. That is much more challenging with our current activities space limitations.

We’ve all heard the banter about “kids these days”—that phones and screens contribute to a lack of in person social skills, inactivity, and ultimately lead to a general laziness—the idea that “no one wants to work anymore.” But here’s the thing, we can’t complain today’s kids are sedentary, but not provide them room to move. We can’t say young adults don’t want to work, but not provide them with training and education that can ignite passion and build career interests. We can’t ignore that teaching and learning have changed. Education is no longer just lecturing, taking notes, filling in the worksheet, and taking a test. Learners today are self-directed, and teaching is more experiential, more project based. This evolution requires a physical space that can adjust to give our educators and learners resources they need! 

Those in the Henning district can band together and fund this package that we will be able to see, feel, experience, and be proud of. Or voters can leave our district officials with much more limited choices that likely will include a levy for the most basic (yet expensive!) things needed—such as a new HVAC system. If voters choose the second option, ultimately our district, and thus all the voters, will pay for half measures. Rather than pay for bandages that will not lead to tangible improvements, why not invest in the pursuit of a vibrant and thriving school with potential for immeasurable impact for the future?  Please consider voting Yes Yes, be part of something great, and be part of the community that Henning is known for.

Respectfully and in partnership,

Brooke Thorson,

Henning