Strong schools make strong communities

I am a proud 2023 graduate of Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

Since it was built in 1970, Apollo has been an essential figure of the community.

CSB+SJU is not left out from this history, as various staff graduated from the school, including professors, grounds crew employees and culinary staff.

Now their children attend Apollo, and current CSB+SJU students like me are graduates.

And it is now that Apollo High School needs our help.

On Tuesday, there will be an election to pass a referendum to add much needed facilities to the school. This is a two-question ballot referendum.

The first question asks voters to approve upgrading the school building to meet modern safety and educational standards.

This includes building a secure entrance, fire safety upgrades, a storm shelter that doubles as a gym and overall improvements to the 55-year-old classrooms and fine arts spaces that have never been updated.

The second question asks voters to approve the construction of an indoor multipurpose athletic facility. This facility would be open to the community and include a turf and walking track available year-round.

Passing this referendum would have a property tax impact of $3.33 a month for the average home, and the time to make these improvements is now.

This is the third attempt to pass a referendum for Apollo in the past 10 years.

In 2016, the community voted and passed the referendum to build a brand-new Tech High School on the south side of town.

While this was a necessary measure, you cannot have one side of town get a clean, new school and leave the other side of town behind.

It hinders the Apollo students’ access to activities, new programs and their overall educational development.

These are necessary additions to prepare students for the workforce and balance the uneven distribution of resources and quality education between Tech and Apollo.

If you are a Bennie, Johnnie or community member living in St. Joseph or Collegeville, you can participate in this election.

Whether you voted here in November and are already registered, or feel inclined to change your registration to here on the day of, I urge you to participate.

Any person registered to vote in St. Joseph or Collegeville can vote on this referendum.

The voice of the students is powerful, and this referendum will have an extremely positive impact on the community.

There is a reason that recent graduates have been St. Joseph mayors and City Council members—because the voice of the CSB+SJU students is powerful.

Please use your voice to help your community.

Early voting is open this week at the 742 District Administration Office located at 1201 S. Second St., Waite Park.

Voting is open Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m,. Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Otherwise, you can vote at your regular polling place on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For Bennies living on campus or anyone living in St. Joseph, vote at the St. Joseph Town Hall, located at 935 S. College Ave.

For Johnnies living on campus, vote at the SJU Great Hall, located near the Abbey Church.

Please vote yes to both questions on Tuesday.

If you have any other questions, more information can be found at https://www.isd742.org/referendum.