It's very, very late tonight as I type into the computer.  Since it's after midnight, it's really tomorrow.  Logic sounds strange at this hour, doesn't it?  Yes, indeed, it's Wednesday, February 2^nd, and I gotta get this newspaper to Crow River Press in Hutchinson in a few short hours.  Oofda.
I bet you're calling me a procrastinator.  Well, you can call me a lot of things, but not that, at least not most of the time.
Anyhow, I'm writing tonight -- oops, is it really morning? -- to tell you about a letter I only received tonight -- or is that last night?  In any case, the letter is dated Monday, January 31^st, 2000.  It was not written to me.  It was addressed to "Dear Colleagues" and it was e-mailed to "all staff "at School District #112.  The letter writer is Nancy Kracke, Community Relations Coordinator for District #112.
According to Nancy Kracke, subject of the letter is:  "Controversy about elementary site."  According to the editor of the Gazette, it's about immaturity, lack of professionalism, and downright dirty play.
Nowhere on the letter does it say "private" or "personal."  Nowhere on the letter does it say, "Do not show this to others."  Nowhere on the letter does it say, "Burn after reading" or "Run this through a shredder" or "Plow it under."  I, therefore, take this opportunity to reveal to you, not my source, dear Victoria friends and neighbors, but simply the most interesting parts.
Nancy Kracke writes:
As employees, you may find yourself in situations where people are asking what is going on.  Here is some information for you:
· The Board has questions concerning the Chaska land that came to its attention following the meeting last week with Victoria residents.  The Board will be talking to the Cities of Chaska and Victoria this week for clarification and answers to these questions.  One key question, for example, is whether it is possible for Chaska to hold the free land they are offering for a future site instead of the next site.
· To date, the Board has not discussed changing its vote on the land situation.  It will not do that until it has the answers it is seeking.
· The School Board is absolutely committed to building a school in Victoria.  The question is when it will happen, not whether it will happen.
· This is an emotional time for many Victoria parents.  When people are angry, facts don't mean very much.  But one of the most important values we have as a school system is a positive relationship with the cities and citizens we serve.  Our goal is to come out of this situation with relationships in tact.  Your calm, positive response to parents at this time is part of that effort.
· If you know people who have questions you can't answer, please don't hesitate to give them my name and number (556-6121).  I will try to answer their questions or find the information if I don't know.
I will try to keep you updated as this progresses.  I'd also appreciate hearing any rumors you may be hearing about the situation.  This is one 'growing pain' all of us wish we didn't have to experience.

First of all, I don't believe that the Board is "absolutely committed to building a school in Victoria."  Those words mean nothing.  I've heard them before.  I've reported them in the Gazette before.  It's a bad joke.  You couldn't find a better time than today to build an elementary school in Victoria.  Everything is in place and everybody knows Victoria is the best site.
Secondly, about that "free" Chaska land, the rallying cry of the School District has been:  "We have to build there today.  There are no guarantees that it'll stay free!"  Only now do they ask if holding it is possible.  It's a contradiction.  Good grief, who's in charge here?  Where's the truth?  Besides, the land is not free.  That's another bad joke.
As far as "facts don't mean much when people are angry," it has become obvious that facts don't mean much to the Superintendent and School Board of District #112.  And there is such a thing as righteous anger.  Recall the moneychangers?  I'd like to throw them out of School District #112.  They've lost sight of our kids.  They've never had sight of Victoria.  It's an abomination.  It's a travesty of justice and fair play.
Nancy Kracke says she wants to hear of any "rumors."  You got it wrong, lady.  It's the facts you should want to hear.  Read this issue of the Gazette carefully and you'll have a lot of the facts to consider.  Pass 'em on.
And the problem is not "growing pains."  It's the knuckleheads in the joint.  Or is it the pains in the joints?  Or pain in the knuckles?  My mama said you're never supposed to crack your knuckles, especially when you're still growing.  --Sue

DEADLINE
The deadline for the next issue of the Gazette is Monday, February 21^st.  You can send your news to Box 387 in Victoria or call (612) 443-2010 or
e-mail Sue@VictoriaGazette.com.  Thanks, always, for thinking of the Gazette.