Citizen referendum committee working hard, seems confident

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- With the New Ulm Public Schools referendum vote about a month away, the citizens steering committee, along with five other sub-committees, are busy trying to provide information to the public in hopes of obtaining a "yes" vote on Nov. 6.

The citizen steering committee, Carol Ackerson, Tim Babel, Marc Burkhart and Joan Krikava, are in charge of the other five subcommittees; communications, canvassing, finance, outreach and election week services.

The volunteer citizen committees have been meeting since September trying to recruit volunteers, raise money for the campaign, organize campaign details and more. Currently committees are trying to raise campaign money, decide where to post signs, get district information out in the mail and other campaign information.

"Things have been going well. We've been getting a good number of volunteers," Babel said. "All the committees have been spending a lot of energy to get things done. Most of the chair committee volunteers jumped at the chance, and in return they called other volunteers. The only complaint is that we're a little short of funds."

The theme for this year's campaign is "Strong schools today. . . strong communities tomorrow."

"That's a very true statement. Strong public education systems translates into a strong community," Babel said. "It benefits both the public and private sector."

Krikava agreed. As a doctor at the New Ulm Medical Center, she said the first thing potential employees look at is if the public schools will provide a good education for their children.

"Strong public education is essential for maintaining and recruiting professionals into town," Krikava said. "We have to make sure the town continues to thrive -- we aren't going to get good, new businesses without it. Schools are the foundation of our community. If we don't have a good foundation, we don't have a good infrastructure."

Krikava said initial feedback has been positive.

"Everything I've heard so far has been really positive," Krikava said. "The hospitals and the clinics are very supportive. Lots of the volunteers I recruited have came from there."

Superintendent Harold Remme was pleased to learn recently that the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce voted to endorse the referendum for the school district.

The school district is hosting their informational referendum meeting on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Washington School Media Center. On Oct. 30, an election forum will be hosted by the League of Women Voters at 7 p.m. where voters can call in and ask questions about school operations.

The school district is seeking a $450 per pupil unit referendum, which would generate $1.2 million.

"The people I've talked to said the school board isn't asking for enough, which surprised me, but liked to hear," Krikava said.

Babel has many personal reasons for supporting the referendum. He is a public high school graduate and has four children in public schools.

Krikava said as a doctor, she always hears people ask how the school systems are when thinking about taking a job New Ulm and often has a hard time competing with suburban recruitment.

Krikava said she is confident that people will receive enough information about the referendum to make a well-informed decision.

"I'm confident the information will get out there," Krikava said. "My biggest worry is people won't get out to vote. Voter turnout is always an issue."

Babel is concerned about information people are receiving.

"I'm concerned that people aren't getting the correct information. All the information about the district is available through the district office," Babel said. "Life is a like a school, we have to do a lot of studying to make a proper decision."