Superior school holds open house
SUPERIOR – The Superior School District hosted an open house event on Tuesday, Aug. 26, in order to provide parents and students with important information prior to the start of classes on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
After a dinner at the elementary school, parents and their children gathered in the high school gym for a brief speech by Superintendent Scott Kinney. The evening’s activities also included a session specifically for students regarding internet protocols for their computers.
Included in Kinney’s presentation was a briefing on the proposed school levy coming up for a vote in September that, if successful, would replace the aging junior high school building with a new addition to the existing high school.
Kinney said the proposal was a forward thinking measure to ensure future generations of Superior students have an opportunity for an education in a safe environment that fosters learning.
“This is about your kid’s future,” Kinney said. “This is your school. This is your legacy. This place is important. This is a place to be proud of.”
The event, called “I Wonder Night,” was a new way to reach out to parents and let them know what school district staff were working on to enhance the educational experience for their kids. Kinney said he wanted parents to come to the school and see what the various institutions have to offer area students.
“This is an opportunity for us to establish a strong working relationship with parents so they know this is their school,” Kinney said. “We want to make sure we are meeting their needs.”
Kinney said one of his goals was to continue to attempt to clear up misinformation swirling around the community regarding the levy. He said he has heard everything from statements that the money will go toward the football field to replacing the track.
He said, unequivocally, those assertions were false. The money, if approved, would go toward replacing a facility that has been subject to plumbing problems and has structural integrity issues among other problems.
He said the proposed plan will also save money by using existing support structures and utilizing a new, technologically advanced heating system that is estimated to save the district thousands of dollars a year in utility costs.
“We believe a strong public school is the cornerstone of any community,” Kinney said. “Keeping kids engaged and learning and active and learning to be good citizens is good for everybody. We want everyone to understand who we are and what we do.”
Kinney said the inspiration behind “I Wonder Night” was a desire to engage parents in their kid’s education in addition to providing information about the levy and other projects.
“We want people to understand exactly what we are asking for and the reasons why,” Kinney said. “It makes sense. It makes sense fiscally and it makes sense for our kid’s education. It makes sense for safety. It’s the right thing to do.”