Paid political letter: School Board Elections

Ideas and opinions in this letter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the stance of this paper. The author of this letter has paid for its placement. A mailing sent to Alexandria residents from Parents United asking for votes for three school board candidates is alarming with negative presentation of schools, donation request, and title of united parents when may be minority of parent attitudes are represented.

1) A description of failings of the school boards and failing school performance contradicts school ratings. Alexandria Public schools ranking is 79th of the 424 districts in Minnesota improved by two ranks in last year.

2) Running for school board signals an intention to serve the students and community not to purchase votes or carry out specific agendas. Choose a candidate who has shown has shown long term commitment to school improvement not those asking for money, or who show up to address specific policies.

3) Parents United seems a strange title for a group that appears disrespectful to school boards, school curriculum and opinions of other parents. Perhaps Parents Schools Divided would be a better description.

If you did receive the mailing, please check facts, and consider this mailing as an example. Then vote for candidates who show leadership, collaborative approaches, are interested exploring best practice and will focus on building strong community, school, parent relationships.

By the way this letter is considered political so it cost $75.

Daisy Stahlberg, Leeann Jorgensen
Alexandria, Minn.