To the Editor,

With the upcoming referendum, as the senior teacher at the school, I am going to at least give my opinion on things I have heard people discussing. I am a proud student, graduate, alumni, and a 32 year teaching veteran of the Henning  Public School.  I was taught, and have taught, in the old building, I watched that building get remodeled to the present, where I currently teach 6-8 Math, Science, and Social,  and yet  with this insight, no one has come up and asked my opinion on things. 

The 1995 project was a great project. It brought our school from a three story building to ground level and added an ECFE wing and the weight room wing. All of the new was tied into the remaining old 1960 additions, which were not updated, other than some cosmetics. Things that have been done since have been updating the boiler system (just the boilers not the rest of the HVAC), elementary rooms got a vertical heating system put in as a temporary fix (they are still there),  technology wiring, some of the roof replaced, new hoop lifts, rebuild of the entrance, and other small updates that the budget allowed. 

At this point, the school needs a lot more updates to go into the 21st century. The 1960 elementary wing still needs to be renovated with heating and modernization,  electrical, and HVAC. The fire systems for both old and new are outdated, new and improved secure entrance and additional parking  needs to occur,  and lastly added storage, student commons, and gym added. This project would give things needed for modern education. I would  not have to struggle to find space for labs that I  do or for elementary wrestling because we have 1 1/2 gyms. One of our current gyms acts as a lunch room and recess area when the weather is bad. 

Some type of referendum or levy is going to take place. Whether the people approve one or the board moves forward on one. If the board ends up having to go forward on one because of the lack of support for the school and students, we will not see anything as a public. But something HAS to be done to address the needs of an aging building. A board approved levy (which is the only option if the referendum doesn’t pass) will still result in an increase in your taxes, but with no visible results (it will all go to the HVAC system, and internal safety). This type of levy, while addressing safety needs, does nothing to address students educational needs in the 21st century. Do you also realize that by passing the referendum, the state kicks in a significant portion through the ag credit? If the referendum doesn’t pass, we don’t get that state money. If the board has to levy for the basic needs, there is no contribution of state money.  

Why the gym? We are the only conference school of the eight that does not have a third gym and a student commons area. For $3-$4 more on my taxes, I am in favor of us giving our students and athletes what the other conference athletes have. 

The other thing I have heard people talk about is “Why not do something with Battle Lake?” That law has changed, we can not build out in the middle of a field anymore. It has to be in a town. Henning, Clitherall, or Battle Lake. I was a part of the attempted pairing back in 1991-92. That did not happen, and chances of it happening are slim. If we build between the two towns, a project like that would be way more on your taxes then what is proposed now, because it will have to be a totally new school with an athletic complex added, to do anything less would not be cost effective for what the students need. Your choice will have to be a high school in Henning or elsewhere. 

I have been excited for this project from day one! I have seen it evolve with changes that make it even better. After passing, more adjustments can be made. As a councilman of the city,  I am in favor of this, because of the positive impact it is going to have. We can host bigger events and draw more people to our already wonderful community. The timing could not be better, the cost has gone up since the last vote, however our tax amount has gone down due to a shift of money. There will be more coming out of the metro area.to help fund.  Please vote YES/YES for the upcoming referendum. It is for our students and community. If you have any questions, please contact me. 

Scott Hart, 

Henning