Schools, traditionally, had been institutions that placed education as priority number one. It was the very reason for them to be in existence. Somewhere along the way arts, athletics, and special interests overtook education as priority number one in schools across the United States. Here in the Mid-Prairie school district things are no different.

One look at the current Bond Referendum confirms this with a large amount of money being spent on ancillary amenities and plush upgrades that have nothing to do with education.

Not only do many of these proposals not enhance or expand education, they are narrow in scope in terms of how many students benefit from them. In other words, the bulk of the money benefits a limited amount of students.

A hand-selected group of the areas wealthy and popular decided what should be done? That seems logical! Let’s assemble a group of people with personal agendas and little knowledge of education to dictate to the rest of us what priorities in education should be, and then end up with a proposal that barely touches on education. If I need a house sold, I call a realtor, but does a realtor know education? It is clear to me this group was hell bent on getting their personal wish list paid for by the public.

I do understand vibrant communities rely on a good school system. I am not naive. If this district would just take its blinders off and welcome outsiders they may learn a thing or two, but that unfortunately is rare around here. So, you stick to the same old power players calling all the shots amongst an immensely divided district. Not really the spirit of inclusion. Look at how much is allocated to school safety, $0.00. Why? Likely because an outsider brought light to the issue, and you wouldn’t want an outsider exposing your shortcomings.

One final thought for you folks to ponder. Do you think a school district has any business being a business? That is what they are pitching with this Bond. Imagine that, a school advertising for business against private sector businesses and competing with area businesses. That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Matt Meisheid

Kalona