As time is drawing near for Tuesday’s One Campus for Everyone bond election, I wanted to send one last communication to our community. I would first like to thank everyone who has attended the town hall meetings scheduled over the past couple of months, and for your attention, questions, and interest in our school district. I always enjoy meeting with our community and talking about the Iron Mountain School District and the vision for the future. I would also like to thank the hundreds of people who viewed our town hall meetings online and participated virtually.

Next, I would like to take just a moment to address some very popular topics. Unfortunately, over the course of this campaign information has been shared by members of the community via social media, letters to the editor, or other forms of communication that is just simply not accurate information, contributing to uncertainty and confusion. For this reason, it is important for our district to ensure the right information is publicized so we can help to ensure voters are making decisions based on factual information.

EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: East Elementary is not a vacant building. This building is home to Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Schools. This building is also home to the Iron Mountain Home-School Partnership. This building is fully occupied and fully staffed every day of the week. Our Alternative Education, Adult Education, Summer Enrichment Programs, Child Care services, and a host of other programs and services are housed in the East building.

NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: IMPS does not owe debt on the North Elementary School property. The only debt incurred for North was back in 2011 when $300,000 was put into the building for a new boiler, some work on doors, and technology. The district has been paying off that debt since 2011 and therefore, there is very little if any debt remaining on that building. Lastly, the newly installed playground at North would be removed and brought down to the new campus.

PARKING DOWNTOWN: IMPS would ensure that busing, parent drop off and pickup, parking, and traffic flow concerns are addressed. We understand the safety issues regarding kids and vehicles. The district would have a plan in place to keep kids safe and this topic handled appropriately. Additionally, street parking would improve due to the added parking lot locations.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS BUILDING: The renovations to this building would include classrooms and new levels of programming to include specialized classrooms for students in need of special services, life skills classes, and a digital media classroom. The IA building would not be renovated for the sole purpose of a records room and receiving dock. New learning spaces and new programming would make up most of this building.

WHY SHOULD I INVEST: I get asked often, “Why should I invest? I don’t have kids in school anymore or my kids attend another school.” My answer has always been and will always be because you are investing in the most important and vital asset to any community, its children. The future of our community is its children. For those that send their child(ren) to another district, one day you will be asking voters in the district you send your child to, to support your child, we are asking the same of you. We are asking that as a community we do what is right for kids and families.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to any one of our board members or me. We ask that you don’t let social media and newspaper letters to the editor be your source of information by which you base your decision. Unfortunately, there are those who speak on matters they don’t fully understand or have knowledge about. Not only is this reckless and irresponsible but it is detrimental to our community. Again, thank you for taking the time to read this and allow us the privilege of serving you.