Vote Yes for my Children and the Wayzata Schools Referendum

I realize that may have been a dramatic title, but it’s the truth.  My wife and I moved to the Wayzata district over 5 years ago, prior to having children, because we knew the district was the strongest in the state and exactly where we wanted to raise our children.  That sentiment is shared by many of you that have children in the district, have children that graduated from Wayzata High School, or have young children starting their education in the near future. 

Tomorrow night, I take my son to Kindergarten registration and he is extremely excited to become a part of the Wayzata schools.  He already wears his blue and gold Wayzata winter hat everywhere we go and yells “Go Wayzata” at every sporting event we attend.  Looking ahead, am I excited about the fact that my son may have 900 classmates in high school?  Not entirely, to be honest, especially when my graduating class was a mere 52.  Yes, I’d love for him to have an opportunity to start in any varsity sport he would like to participate in, but the reality is, I want him to be a part of a high school that offers 26 AP courses, 36 varsity sports, and 54 activities for him to find his own niche.  Those are opportunities a large high school provides that no other school in the state can provide and many more opportunities than my education provided.  My children have the opportunity to explore their interests and truly find activities, athletics, and academic programs that fit their personal passions.

Part of the upcoming school referendum will build another elementary, largely due to the legislation requiring schools to provide all-day Kindergarten to all students.  We have to make room for these young, eager learners and find a way to continue to provide them the same education that made the Wayzata schools such an amazing experience for so many graduates.  There’s no way around this, an extra 14-16 classrooms are necessary just for the all-day Kindergarten classes. 

The other major aspect of the referendum is an addition to the high school.  I’ve heard and listened to people that suggest two high schools would be a more appropriate reaction to growth.  I can understand the hope for a smaller school atmosphere for your children, but a smaller second high school would not provide the same opportunities available at the Wayzata High School.  Beyond that, this is a community that supports its high school and I couldn’t imagine splitting the community, its youth programs, its mascot, the school colors, and all of the success the school has achieved in academics, athletics, and nurturing inquisitive minds.

I have been very involved in the school district from the moment we moved to the area, because I believe a strong school is the foundation of a strong community.  And one high school, one community of Wayzata Trojans is what I hope for my son and daughter.  I urge you, Vote Yes for the Referendum on February 25th and show exactly how strong this community truly is.

As my son would say, “Go Wayzata!”

Sincerely,

Erik Brown

Father of Wayzata Trojan graduates in the Class of 2027 and 2030.