TO THE EDITOR:

I want to encourage everyone who lives in District 4 of Sherburne County to vote for “Lefty” Kleis for Sherburne County Commissioner. When “Lefty” was the mayor of Becker, he always did a great job and I know he’ll do a good job as a commissioner. He always did what was best for Becker and he’ll do the same for Sherburne County.  

Howard Osgood

Becker, MN

TO THE EDITOR:

It’s said that, “democracy dies in darkness.” Hopefully that’s not what will happen in our Becker School District. At Monday’s board meeting it was suggested that Becker policy #722, adopted just two months ago, already be replaced. Policy #722 is essentially Becker Schools’ “Freedom of Information Act.” Since its adoption, policy #722 has been a huge step forward in ensuring our schools are fully transparent to our citizens. The board carefully considered the policy for three months before its unanimous approval. There is no reason for its replacement. 

Policy #722 allows for requests for any public information in the school’s possession such as curriculum and student learning materials. It also provides an inexpensive way to resolve disputes without the District being forced into costly lawsuits. Instead, #722 allows the school board to informally negotiate, mediate, and obtain free advisory legal opinions from the State Data Practices Office in resolving issues. Policy #722 offers ways to settle transparency concerns at little or no cost to the district rather than spending years in expensive litigation.

Let’s not lose the school transparency the board has given us with policy #722. Let’s encourage our board to keep Becker School Policy #722 just the way it is.

Chris Klippen

Clear Lake, MN