What Staff, Students, Community Leaders, and Board Members Say
Enhance Safety
"School Resource Officers have become an important tool in community-based policing and present an opportunity for partnership between law enforcement agencies and school districts to help keep youth safe. The IGH Police Department utilizes an SRO to work with students and school staff to help identify and prevent potential crises before they occur."
Chief Melissa Chiodo, police chief
"With a second districtwide SRO, our schools would be better equipped to support the ever-growing student body we work with to foster safe, positive, and educated youth in our community."
Officer Ericka Eid, school resource officer (SRO)
"The ISD 199 staff have embraced Officer Eid as a resource for their schools, and the IGH Police Department has made inroads with young people because of her work. Our district wants to continue the outstanding support that the police department has provided for us."
Dave Bernhardson, superintendent
"You probably know someone who has had their personal information put at risk or stolen because of a company or organization. We want to add an additional layer of cybersecurity to our data so our families, staff, and volunteers never have to experience that because of us."
Caroline Little, director of instructional technology
"Security equipment like cameras or door fobs deter safety issues. When an issue does arise, this equipment is essential for addressing the problem quickly and keeping our school community safe."
Lindsay Elwell, director of safety & facilities
Maintain Quality
"You will find ISD 199 alumni in many places in our community: local businesses, leadership roles, police, emergency medical services and fire, teachers, and senior citizens. ISD 199's referendum is about providing the resources and classes that will best equip students to live successfully and serve our community."
George Tourville, Inver Grove Heights resident and former mayor
"
Schools that offers a wide range of opportunities for students, not just the college bound but those headed into a trade, are crucial to our whole community. Inver Grove needs all these skill sets to thrive."
Joe Atkins, county commissioner
"The school district has been able to put educational opportunities like hands-on career learning and elementary STEAMM classes in place. Programming has been adjusted over the years to fit the needs of students, but to keep the programming that's working, ISD 199 now needs the community's support."
Matt Schaefer, Inver Grove Heights resident, former school board chair & parent
"We want our students to be fully prepared for the future. We lost 18 staff members districtwide to budget reductions last year. Losing up to 24 more because of the $2 million shortfall would severely limit what we can do for students."
Cullen Berg, Simley High School assistant principal & alum
"We value being a district that's very efficient and effective. A lot of times, we hear that we do more with less than other districts do, and that's something we're very proud of and something we're very intentional about. With our community's support, we can maintain those effective opportunities that are working for our students."
Dave Bernhardson, superintendent
Strong Community
"For most folks I know, their home is their largest asset. Other than essential maintenance, nothing is more important to maintaining a home's value than quality schools and safe neighborhoods. This year's school referendum focuses on both these things - quality schools and public safety."
Joe Atkins, county commissioner
"The classes that we offer engage students in learning, but many of them also translate into savings for our students and families, like AP, and benefits to our community, like our Police and Fire Explorer, CNA, and EMT/EMR career classes."
Jake Klingner, school board vice chair
"To us, schools are the heart of our community and investing in our schools is as important as investing in other infrastructure. Not only do great schools improve the value of our home, but we feel they reduce crime rates and help build both a valuable work force and knowledgeable citizens."
Nina & Jim Terhaar, 40-year Inver Grove Heights residents
"I don't have school-age kids, but I know that the kids graduating from our district are the ones who will be leading this community. Anywhere you go in Inver Grove Heights, you will find our graduates, whether that's at a local small business or in the police force. Our students are the future of our community."
Shana Dukes, school board member
Strong Schools
"We have two grandchildren in the IGH School District and know from being in the school and classrooms that the referendum must pass to enable the staff to educate and mold the future – our children."
Monica & Steve Buenzow, Pine Bend Elementary School grandparents
"Our district stands out in the way that classrooms are supported and students are supported. Being on the school board has shown me how our district uses all of its resources to the fullest to get our kids what they need."
Carrie Lounsberry, school board chair
"As a parent and as a teacher in a different district, I see the impact that cuts and loss of opportunities have on students. I don't want to lose students and talented educators because of cuts."
Jake Klingner, school board vice chair
Board Members
A reasonable increase in revenue will have a significant and positive impact on our students, staff, and community.
Carrie Lounsberry, school board chair
One value combo of a sandwich, pop, and chips nowadays costs more than the monthly tax impact of this referendum on an average district home. Our referendum question is based on what our voters said they were comfortable with when surveyed, and it is an amount that will still do great things for our students.
Jake Klingner, school board vice chair & treasurer
We're not a big district, and we don't have all of the funds that other districts have. But we're doing really great, innovative things that visitors and other school districts have noticed.
Sarah Larsen, school board clerk
When schools thrive, our community thrives too. The programs we have now are engaging students and preparing them to be productive citizens and successful workers.
Sherry Warrick, school board member
Our district's School Resource Officer provides support for safety concerns, but her work building positive relationships with kids actually helps prevent safety concerns in the schools and in the community.
Darcie Pierson, school board member
Security needs are constantly increasing and evolving. Now is the time we must enhance our security so our kids and staff can focus on learning.
Liz Niemioja, school board member
If we didn't have to put a question on the ballot, we wouldn't. We have talked through all of the alternatives, had conversations within the district and with our community, and we are going out for this referendum to maintain the opportunities that are working for our students.
Shana Dukes, school board member