You’d know I wasn’t being truthful if I said that November wasn’t a rough month for the school district as a whole, as well as for me, personally. The levy referendum and bond election, the election of four board members, and my decision to depart from the district next June have all been very divisive for the entire school community.

Tom WesterhausIt is not my nature to be at the center of controversy and
division. Collaboration, partnerships, conflict resolution, empowerment, and
cooperation are all words with which I’m far more comfortable. Being in the headlines and under the spotlight are not comfortable places for me, particularly in times of community dissension.

For the sake of this district, I am more convinced than ever that we all must move forward and get back to the important work of education.

Edwin Percy Whipple once said, “God is glorified, not by our groans, but by our thanksgivings.”

And Maya Angelou said,

“If you must look back, do so forgivingly.

If you must look forward, do so prayerfully.

However, the wisest thing you can do

is to be present in the present…Gratefully.”

On this Thanksgiving weekend, I’m hoping that we as a district and the larger community will not forget the hundreds of reasons to be grateful for our Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools.

This month alone I have either witnessed or been part of so many positive actions taking place, including the high school’s outstanding
production of “Up the Down Staircase;” the marching band’s amazing stand-up concert in the high school auditorium; the middle schools’ D.A.R.E. dance to promote a chemical-free lifestyle; WestWood’s pajama-clad staff, students and their parents during an evening “I Love to Read” promotion; a well-run middle school girls basketball tournament; the Optimist-sponsored Youth Appreciation luncheon with accolades bestowed on student leaders from every grade level and
public and private school in the district; the new member installation of the National Honor Society at PLHS; staff in the curriculum review process earnestly trying to improve programs for students; elementary staff honored for their leadership in environmental education at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (ELC); and several classrooms throughout the district engaged in meaningful and quality instruction to help students meet Minnesota’s high-stake academic standards.

Yes, our district has much yet to accomplish and unfinished work to do. The unpleasant task of balancing next year’s budget will occupy much of administration’s time over the next several months. But all of this can and will be accomplished because we have so much to be proud of and thankful for that we cannot help but move forward.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, “God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.” As we celebrate with our families and friends this
Thanksgiving season, may we be truly grateful for all the many blessings bestowed on us, including those of the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. I know for certain the school district and this community will be on my gratitude list as I pause to give thanks.

(Tom Westerhaus is
superintendent of Prior Lake-Savage Area School District 719. He can be reached via e-mail at
twesterhaus@priorlake-savage.mn.k12.us or by phone at (952)
226-0010. His column is one of several opinion and commentary pieces appearing regularly in this newspaper.)