Dear Editor,
When my family moved to Ridgeway nearly five years ago, we had some reservations about the Dodgeville School District. Like many people, we had heard concerns and rumors about the schools and the quality of education. But we made a decision: we weren’t going to base our opinion on rumors. We wanted to experience the district for ourselves.
Nearly five years later, our firsthand experience has told us something very different. I have watched my own child learn from teachers who genuinely care about their students. As a member of the Elementary Parent Teacher Circle, I have also seen the dedication of the people who work in our schools.
As a high school girls basketball coach, I see another side of our students. I see the courses they take, the opportunities they are given, the goals they have, and the potential they bring. When I hear people talk about what our schools offer, I don’t just see a line item in a budget. I see actual students sitting in those classrooms.
My husband and I also own a business, so we understand that money doesn’t grow on trees. We make difficult decisions about expenses and investments every day. We understand why taxpayers may hesitate when asked to approve additional spending. Those concerns are real and shouldn’t be dismissed.
We should expect accountability and responsible financial decisions from our school board and administration. Supporting this referendum does not mean giving up that expectation. But being a business owner has also taught me that sometimes not investing has a cost of its own.
This investment is about maintaining the staffing, programs, resources, and opportunities that allow our schools to serve students well today while preparing them for tomorrow.
What does it cost our community if we don’t invest? What does it cost when families choose another community because they don’t believe our schools offer the opportunities they want for their children? What does it cost when the young people we educate here decide there is no reason to come back?
Strong schools help attract and retain families, support local businesses, and contribute to a community people want to live in and be proud of.
You don’t have to have a child in a Dodgeville classroom today to care about what happens in those classrooms. These students will become our future employees, business owners, teachers, healthcare workers, tradespeople, farmers, first responders, and community leaders. We don’t only invest in the children who belong to us. We invest in the community we all share.
After years of experiencing Dodgeville schools firsthand-as a parent, volunteer, coach, business owner, and community member-I know what I see in this district: people who care about our kids and opportunities worth protecting and investing in.
This referendum isn’t simply about what we spend today. It’s about the kind of community we want Dodgeville to be tomorrow.
I believe Dodgeville is worth investing in. I believe our kids are worth investing in. And I will be voting YES.
Marissa Yancy, Ridgeway, WI