Date: September 24 2012
The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has taken a position in support of the request for operating levy referendum for the Faribault Public Schools.
The Board of Directors concluded that our mission of promoting business growth and prosperity requires healthy community schools. The following statements represent the basis for the chamber’s support of the proposed levy.
- The strength of our schools is a critical economic development issue. Existing and prospective businesses indicate a high quality school system is an essential element when making expansion and new development decisions. In recent surveys, employers mentioned difficulty in recruiting management and skilled employees because of apprehensions prospects have about the quality of our schools. We must continue to provide quality education and extracurricular activities to stay competitive in business growth and development.
- Students today are the workforce of tomorrow. If businesses wantemployees with a good work ethic and a well rounded background, we need to provide quality educational, cultural and athletic activities for all students. The cuts made in the past few years have already diminished the educational opportunity for our children. This levy will safeguard and begin to restore the quality programs our Faribault children deserve. In a desire to be frugal, we must not be foolish. We must continue to support our schools and invest in the future of our youth.
- Instilling our community values, as well as the quest for knowledge necessary to succeed, continues to be the essential work of our schools. Our community has historically invested in the future through support of our schools. We are keenly aware of the economic issues facing families and businesses. Our schools are facing the same concerns with the added uncertainty of their funding from the state. We must continue to be a community that values education and demonstrates that through its support of the schools.
We believe the school district has been fiscally responsible in these challenging times. Despite stagnant enrollment, legislative shifts and rising costs our district is holding the line and working to build fund balances to prepare for the future’s inevitable challenges.
Read the materials sent to you from the School District. Check the district and the chamber website (www.faribaultmn.org) to view a presentation of the facts. Vote YES in the November 6 operating levy referendum vote. Our future depends on it.
For more Information contact Kymn Anderson, Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce
334-4381 or e-mail kymn@faribaultmn.org
