“Education is the great equalizer,” said Horace Mann. And for most of us, public school is likely where that happened. In my hometown of Mandan, North Dakota, the school board in 2002 sought to replace an aging junior high school. After picking a location for a new school, the board of education put the matter to a vote of the people. The bond issue failed with 67% of voters saying “no” to a property tax increase for funding a new school. It took a while, but concerned parents eventually raised their hands and got off the sidelines. Through Parent Teacher Organizations at five elementary schools, we came together to form a group called BUSY, short for Building Up Schools For Youth. As the daughter of a former teacher and parent to a fourth and second grader at the time, I volunteered to help with the grassroots campaign. One of the first things BUSY did was conduct a community survey. We learned the vast majority of respondents agreed with the need for a new junior high school. We also discovered negativity surrounding the initial vote because of ancillary issues such as the location in the initial proposal. Have you heard the old African proverb? ““If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The school superintendent and board had attempted to go it alone. As BUSY members, we set about building a coalition of support for a new junior high school. Focusing on broad agreement about the need for a new school, we obtained resolutions of support from the city commission, park board, chamber, economic development and education associations. By getting these influential groups to acknowledge the “why” and “what” -- with more “who’s” on board -- the “how” and “where” could be resolved. We got BUSY getting out the vote. In 2005, with record turnout at the polls, 64% of voters said “yes” to a new school. A Bismarck Tribune editorial called it “… a real affirmation of voters commitment to education.” “An amazing turn-around from three years age…” and “A victory being the culmination of a real grass-roots, communitywide effort.” Approval of a new junior high school, which came to be Mandan Middle School, started of a wave of positivity in Mandan. Citizens in years since have approved funding for two more elementary schools, a sports complex and, most recently, a new high school, opening in August. Mandan’s population has grown from 18,000 to about 25,000. Ben Muldrow, the director of Proud Places, says “If you could only focus on one area of development for a community, focus on the schools.” Involvement in the school campaign, for me, led to a 17-year rewarding career in economic and community development in Mandan. After wrapping up that role, I am am now beginning my second year of consulting to grow more small communities and small businesses. Margaret Wheatly said it best. "There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." Building strong schools and thriving communities takes commitment and perseverance. Community betterment is a team sport in which we can all participate. Please let me know if I can help you strengthen your community, For more practical advice about economic and community development in small towns, please follow future blogs at www.communitymattersnd.com, or on social media: www.facebook.com/CommunityMattersND and www.linkedin.com/company/community-matters-llc-nd. |
About EllenEllen Huber is a country girl passionate about nurturing communities. She gets things done and welcomes opportunities to assist enthusiastic, committed community and business leaders in reaching their goals. Archives
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3/13/2024
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