Editor:

As a 1993 graduate of RHS, I’m writing to express my gratitude to Rhinelander and the public school system that gave me an excellent and well-rounded education in the 1980s and early 1990s. I’m also writing to urge the community to vote “yes” on the referendum to preserve the historic strength of the community’s educational foundation.

My classmates and I benefitted from the many dedicated teachers and other staff who provided opportunities for us to learn, whether in the classroom through required or advanced placement classes, in vocational classes, or through a range of extracurricular activities. I wasn’t particularly athletic, so I was fortunate to have extracurricular alternatives such as mock trial, debate and choir. The wealth of these experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, provided me with the knowledge, perspective and breadth of activities that were necessary to get into college and to excel there and beyond.

I realize things have changed. Economic cycles and the cost of education both present ongoing challenges to fully funding public education. What hasn’t changed, though, is the value of that education. And integral to a good education in today’s economy is a range of electives and extracurriculars that provide perspective and experience for today’s students to excel and impact this community and beyond.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, please reflect on the importance of education to you, to the kids you have known, and to the various people who make Rhinelander function. With your “yes” vote, you can help preserve the strong educational environment in Rhinelander for today and tomorrow.

Dane Rasmussen, Boston, Mass.