KinDee's first priority will be to try and preserve our school and the jobs and benefits that go along with keeping our school K-12 and independent. It will be an extremely difficult challenge now that the current board has put us in this position of WGS. No school has ever come back from WGS that we could find. In almost every instance, WGS lasts for 10 years or less, and then a merger happens.
My wife has said that if it comes to a point where a merger is inevitable, she will try and see what can be done about redrawing the boundaries so that outlying areas of the Valley District can possibly re-align with another bordering school district that may better serve these outlying families and students. It can be argued whether or not North Fayette is the best fit for those that live in Wadena, or those who live out near Gunder. This would most likely be done through either dissolution or re-organization. Dissolution or re-organization would be a matter of last resort, but a better choice than a whole-hearted merger where North Fayette ingests the entire Valley School District. A lot will depend on the school board make-up after the next election.
If you are also interested in preserving our school by keeping Valley K-12 and independent, please consider running for the school board. Papers may be obtained from the district office at the school. Also, please take the time to ask those who are running for the school board where they stand on the eventual merger of Valley to North Fayette. It is imperative that you know where the candidates stand on this issue. Our future depends upon the decisions made at this next election.
-Eric
