Letters: When is enough, enough in Wrenshall?

There seems to be a cancer consuming the taxpaying residents within the Wrenshall school district.

In this writer’s opinion, it’s been caused by the current superintendent: with three failed referendums at more than $10,000 apiece, $35,800 and counting in attorney fees and debt estimated at close to $300,000.

On a yearly budget of $6 million, 82.5 percent goes to payroll and benefits, according to school board members. We seem to be top heavy on employees in a school of 352 students?

I attended an Education Minnesota candidate forum in the school commons led by a teacher, with all questions asked only by current teachers to potential new board members with the superintendent present.

I also attended a meeting at the Silver Brook Town Hall, which was rented by current board members Jack Eudy, Cindy Bourn and Deb Washenesky.

Open enrollment constitutes $1.97 million of the budget. I asked, where would this school be without them? Board members answered: “Probably closed.”

Contrary to beliefs that open enrollees are troubled youth, I’ve heard their parents are unhappy with Duluth’s Red Plan and Wrenshall is another option.

To see Wrenshall School survive, the handwriting has been on the wall for 10 years to market the school — as Hermantown, Proctor and Marshall all do, especially now with the trade school building.

We need youth to love and add to the community as the day of large local families is over.

Before the superintendent’s resume adds more failed policies, I suggest resignation.

Tim Kaspari, Wrenshall

Editor’s note: Several of the figures in this letter were fact-checked and updated.