Vote Yes: Good Sense for Our Kids, Many Cents for Us

“[Education] is the best investment we can make – one that pays off in countless dividends, for us, for our children, and for our society . . . If we hope to maintain or improve the quality of life in our communities, attract new industries, and continue to prosper as a nation, top-notch schools are essential.”

  --American Association of School Administrators 1999

There is no debate. I don’t know how you can argue that education is not a bona fide, real dollars-and-cents investment that returns real dividends. In the last several months, I’ve wound up reading a lot about how school quality and economic value correlate. The quote above summed it up.

And I say again: there is no debate.

Hudson schools are high performing

Our kids right here in Hudson benefit from a world-class education. graduates with access to advanced placement courses, Project Lead the Way (a nationally recognized program that integrates science, technology, engineering and math), world languages, visual and performing arts and much more enter the work place and college with economic and competitive advantages. This is the reality for our graduates. 

Schools educate the local labor force. As a human resources manager, I see the candidates that had a good education in high school and those who didn’t. It plays big in a hiring decision. 

Prepping and pre-paying for the future

Students who chose to take advanced placement courses can start college with all or a significant portion of their freshman year completed at no cost to their parents. A rigorous well-rounded education also prepares graduates so they do not need to take remedial courses when they arrive at college; again, a potential cost savings to parents. 

With more space we could give our students even more advantages:

• More advanced placement sciences courses with labs. More science education.
• Core science courses with full lab vs. the half they have now. More science education
• Computer and technology space for engaging in true 21st century learning. Advanced technology learning.
• Physical education space to provide for all students during the regular school year. Better fitness, less obesity.
• Physical education space that supports our athletes. Firsthand sportsmanship and competitive edge.
• Collaborative learning space that supports project-based learning. Learning in the same manner they will on the job, by working with others and sharing ideas.
• Art space that allows students room to work. Fostering and energizing artistic talents.
• Music classrooms and practice space that accommodates a large enrollment. Continuing our excellent music programs.
• Media/library space that is large enough for a 2,000-plus student population vs. one that only serves a quarter of that. As resource media changes, it needs to be available to every student.

Economic value hits home - literally

If you don’t find better educated young people compelling, perhaps knowing that research shows homes in high-performing school districts sell for more than homes in low-performing school districts.

Just another great article was by Jonathan D. Weiss in the Knowledge Works Foundation publication, Public Schools and Economic Development (2004). He said:

• “There is a clear consensus among researchers that education enhances productivity.”
• “Research indicates that quality public schools can help make states and localities more economically competitive.”
• Public schools indisputably influence residential property values.”

Read more

Investing in the St. Croix Meadows site as a future school is not only good for our students but it is good for home owners and local businesses.

Join the many Hudson residents who know this investment makes sense and is a good investment of their cents – Vote Yes on April 3!

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Like us on Facbook! Click here on "Vote Yes Hudson" and get more information through our page there, too. 

For more information on the referendum, go to VoteYesHudson.com. There you will find lots of background information. The Vote Yes Hudson Schools Committee is a mix of parents who have children in all levels of school grades in the district, and a few citizens who have "no skin in the game" but believe that strong schools equal a strong community.