Dear MCW community

To the Editor:

We are entering the last days before the May 14 referendum vote. We have voted “YES” and urge others to do the same. We have been excited to work side by side with others in the MCW community who imagine a bright future. You may have noticed new signs “One school, one community, one future.” In 1988, three small school districts encompassing four small towns came together because they believed they needed to join forces to provide high quality education. Demographics and community circumstances were already changing rapidly. With leadership from the school boards, parents, teachers, community leaders and the agricultural sector, they took a leap of faith that they were stronger together. They set aside old rivalries and became MCW and the Mavericks. Thirty five years worth of graduating classes identify as Mavericks. Each town still has its own identity and purpose, yet the underlying identity of the school district has made them stronger.

Many of our names should remind you that your dreams for us in 1988 actually came true. We live here. We work here. We farm here. We are school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, grandparents. We have committed to family life and community life. We are also taxpayers.

In 1988, the consolidation did not result in a large financial investment. The big financial sacrifices were made in the 1950s and 1960s. Now it is time for the MCW community to join together to respond to a challenging set of circumstances. You have heard all of the information. New videos posted on the school’s website show what is happening inside our school buildings now and what we could imagine for the future.

We have dreams for the future just as our parents and grandparents did. They were bold and visionary…we are too. Please join with us in truly being one community and one future. Vote yes for MCW on May 14.

Jean Burkhardt

and 165 other MCW community members