The Hayfield School Board is scheduled to vote on Wednesday March 30, to determine the future of the Brownsdale Elementary School. Does anyone question the outcome of the vote? Despite a series of informational meetings where concerned citizens and parents raised concerns, the school board members and the superintendent listened politely, but apparently did not take any of the citizen’s comments or questions seriously. Their minds have been made up from the beginning, the school is going to close.

How can this decision be made so casually? The point has been driven home that the district is operating at a deficit of about $240,000, and coincidently, this is about the amount of money that will be saved by closing Brownsdale. From all appearances, it is the superintendent that is leading the charge to close Brownsdale, and the board is following her lead. Doesn’t the superintendent report to the board?

When a business is struggling financially, the first step is not to close a plant, but rather, “how can we generate more revenue?” A second step is often reducing the payroll of non-revenue producing employees. Finally, when no other solutions can be found, one or more factories is closed. Why aren’t Hayfield’s financial problems being addressed in the same manner? The school buildings are the factories, the students are the product produced, and the teachers are the revenue generating employees.

During the informational meetings, we kept hearing about declining net enrollment, but no plans or suggestions were brought forth by the Board or the Superintendent to increase enrollment. Brownsdale has a lot to offer, such as, small class size and a high level of individual attention. With Minnesota’s highly successful open enrollment program, why isn’t Hayfield marketing what it has in Brownsdale? I have talked to families from outside the district that send their children to Brownsdale for these and other reasons. These students and more will be gone once Brownsdale is closed. We also learned that the superintendent makes in excess of $100,000 per year. In addition, a substantial salary is also being paid to a full time principal. With only one real physical plant to operate, how can the board justify both of these salaries along with the corresponding benefits? Why can’t one individual fulfill both roles? If this were a struggling business, one of these salaries would certainly be cut, as they are both non-revenue producing positions. Often times a struggling business will try to merge or consolidate with another similar business. A natural fit would be Blooming Prairie. Has the board or superintendent even discussed this option? I can go on and on with ideas and suggestions, but I think the point is made.

I have a genuine interest in seeing the Brownsdale Elementary School remain open. My wife and I have two grandchildren that currently attend Brownsdale Elementary, and another grandchild that attends Hayfield High School. They most certainly are going to be subjected to longer and more crowded bus rides, larger class sizes and less personal attention. I attended Brownsdale Elementary in the 1950s, my father was on the school board that voted to consolidate Brownsdale with Hayfield in the late 1950s, and I am a property owner in Red Rock Township. I applaud the board and the superintendent for recognizing and attempting to fix the Hayfield School District’s financial difficulties, but the one and only solution being offered is short sighted at best. What happens when enrollment continues to decline across the district? Will Hayfield simply fade away?

This letter may be too little too late, but I urge the board to reconsider and take a very serious look at solutions to address this critical issue.

One final point: Over 40 percent of the tax revenue coming into the Hayfield district is derived from Brownsdale and Red Rock Township, yet, there is no representation from Brownsdale on the Hayfield School Board. What’s wrong with this picture?

David Garbisch

Austin