Letter: Collaboration Necessary for New Polling Places

To The Editor:

Here are your tax dollars at work.Almost a year ago the city clerk’s office received a letter from superintendent of schoolsColleen Dickman stating that as of January 2017 the city would no longer be allowedthe use of the public school gyms as polling places. The reason given was school safety.It wasn’t until later that the mayor sent the city attorney to talk with Ms. Dickman.

Now the city is struggling to find locations that meet all the standards required of polling places.

What ever happened to the word COLLABORATE? Why didn’t all parties involved, city clerk, mayor, common council, superintendent of schools and school board, sit down together and discussoptions.

There are so many avenues the school districtand city could take to reach a solution.Ms. Dickman and school board, if the concern is safety I understand that. But how do you protect the studentswhen they go on the playground for recess and gym? It is far easier for any one to access these areasthan to walk into schools unnoticed.

The schools already get many days off for various reasons. Elections are generally 2 or 3 times a year.Why can’t the district work with the city to schedule in those days and close the schools? It would be a publicservice to the community that pays their salaries and for our schools. It is really a shame that all those involvedhave not been able to sit down and work through this issue.

After all, the mayor is always talking about collaborating.Let’s do it!!!

If you are concerned about what’s happening contact your school board members, Ms. Dickman, the mayor and aldermen. If not, please do not grumble when you find out where you will have to vote in 2017.

Mary Jo Hane,

Wisconsin Rapids