Aim is to continue technology solutions for students, staff

From Chip Rankin, Superintendent

Minnewaska Area Schools

I am writing to our supportive community today about an important initiative that will significantly impact the educational experience of our students — the proposed renewal and increase of the current technology levy for Minnewaska Area Schools.

Technology plays a pivotal role in modern education, providing students with invaluable tools and resources that enhance their learning journey. Our current technology levy has been instrumental in ensuring that our students have access to up-to-date software, devices, and digital resources for the past ten years.

The proposed renewal, scheduled for a vote on November 7, aims to continue the dedicated funding for tech solutions for our students and staff. If approved, it will provide $350,000 annually over the next ten years. However, we are also presenting an option for renewal plus an increase. This would not only renew the current amount but add an additional $500,000 annually over the next decade.

There will be two questions on the ballot. Question 1 proposes the renewal, Question 2 is the increase in funding if Question 1 is approved. Please vote on both questions.

If the tech levy is renewed alone, property taxes will not increase. If the tech levy is renewed and increased, property taxes will increase. In that case, a family living in a $200,000 home would pay $32 per year in taxes towards the levy. Ag property owners whose homestead property is valued at $2,000 per acre will pay $0.14 per acre per year in new taxes.

This funding is crucial for us to stay at the forefront of educational technology. It will enable us to purchase, upgrade, and support a wide range of technology that will benefit our students and teachers across all grades.

The success of our students is intricately connected to the tools and resources they have at their disposal. From interactive learning applications to advanced STEM tools, the proposed tech levy will empower us to provide a 21st-century education that prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

In addition to providing technology-based learning tools, the funds from this tech levy are vital to maintaining our commitment to safety and security within our schools. Funds from the tech levy allow us to purchase annual renewals for many online applications, subscriptions, and software licenses. These renewals include our School Messenger family and staff notification system for two-hour late starts, weather, and other alerts; security camera and security door software updates; and phone and voicemail systems in every classroom.

I encourage each member of our community to be informed about this initiative and to participate in the upcoming vote — either in-person on November 7 at the MAHS auditorium, or by absentee voting at the MAS District Office from now through November 6. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except October 19, 20, 23, and November 3. Your support is vital in ensuring that our students receive the best possible education in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

For more detailed information about the tech levy, please visit minnewaska.k12.mn.us/vote. Thank you for your ongoing support for the Minnewaska Area Schools.

Responds to writer’s claim that ‘God’ is being removed

From Eileen Halvorson,

Glenwood

In her recent letter to the editor, Ms. Inga Mae Urke asserted that Democrats are attempting to remove God, with accusations of firing teachers and forcing Christian businesses into bankruptcy in “some places.” There were only two specific examples—the removal of Christian prayer in public schools in 1963 and “liberals in a key House committee erasing the words ‘so help me God’ from the oath given to witnesses before Congress.”

Regarding her campaign to restore the oath, I found nothing about Democrats trying to remove “so help me God” for 2023, 2022, 2021 or 2020. Ms. Irke’s reference was most likely the House Judiciary Subcommittee on February 28, 2019, when three individuals were sworn in at the same time, and “so help me God” was not included. Also, the Committee on Natural Resources 2019 draft rules did not include “so help you God” for the administrator, but the final version voted on in January 2019 did include all four words. These events happened almost 5 years ago.

Freedom of religion is protected by the First Amendment, which prohibits laws establishing a national religion or impeding the free exercise of religion. While the First Amendment enforces the separation of church and state, it does not exclude religion from public life. The members of the Constitutional Convention, the group charged with authoring the Constitution, intentionally took a neutral position. They believed government should have no power to influence its citizens toward or away from a religion. The principle of separating church from state was integral to the framers’ understanding of religious freedom.

Blood drive collected 71 units

From Mary Gross,

American Red Cross Coordinator

On behalf of the American Red Cross, I would like to thank all of the people that donated blood at our drive on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The drive was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church which is always a welcoming facility. Thank you for accommodating this worthy cause.

The blood drive collected 71 units on Tuesday.

I would also like to thank my gracious and dependable volunteers who continue to be available and willing to help at the event.

The next blood drive will be held at Glenwood Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Please go online to register if you would like to donate.

For more information, or to register online, contact redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Thank you.

Help  keep clock chimes ringing in Starbuck

From Minnewaska Community Health Services (MCHS) Board of Directors

The Minnewaska Community Health Services (MCHS) Board of Directors would like to thank all the generous people who have donated to the Clock Tower repairs at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home. This city landmark, in the heart of Starbuck was put up in 1964 by a generous donation from the Torgersen family and has stood the test of time, but like everything in life it needs a little bit of TLC.

Most of the community has recognized, it has been some time since the clock on the tower has worked and we have had trouble keeping the chimes ringing. MCHS has a campaign to raise funds to fix the clock on the tower. We have been able to raise over $12,000 toward our goal. However, we have gotten a new quote and estimate on the repairs since looking into fixing the clock prior to the pandemic. We are still in need of around $10,000 more, we need your help.

The MCHS Board of Directors are making a plea to the community: If you are a member of an organization that has funds available for charitable giving, or if you are feeling generous as we enter the holiday season, please consider helping us reach our goal. Over the years if you have heard the songs from the tower or looked to the clock for the current time, you know what a special addition it is to our community. Please consider donating to our local landmark.

Donations can be sent to: Minnewaska Lutheran Home, Clock Tower Donation, P.O. Box 40, Starbuck MN 56381

Thank you so much for your generosity. We really appreciate each and every