To the Editor:  I have recently become a resident of Victoria, but have worked within the four school districts in Carver County for the past 18 years.  I am a licensed teacher and am familiar with the politics of education.  I have a son attending first grade at the Early Childhood Center because of space issues at Bluff Creek Elementary.
The debate over an elementary school in Victoria is a very emotional one.  At times like these I miss having my grandmother around to hear her words of wisdom.  I cherished the insight and perspective that resulted from years of experience and years of changes.
My grandmother grew up with horse-drawn carriages and no electrici-ty.  At age 16 she taught in a one-room schoolhouse.  She lived to see automo-biles fill up the byways and man step on the moon.  She lived in the age of super computers.
I truly appreciate the wisdom of my elders.  Most Native American traditions also look to their elders for insight.  When an important issue needs to be resolved in a tribe, the tribal leaders and community members have discussions where all are allowed to voice an opinion.  After all the talk has finished, the tribe turns to the elders for a decision.  The decision is based on the answer to one question:  What is best for the children?
  Our community has had a multi-tude of discussions.   Many have been able to voice an opinion.  Even though a decision has apparently been made by District #112 regarding the site for a new elementary school, I respectfully request the wisdom of the elders in our community.  I would appreciate hear-ing their words of insight and perspective regarding this emotional issue.
What is best for the children?
Ellie Cochran, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:  I attended this meeting along with all the preceding ones concerning the elementary school site.  After standing, not sitting because the room was completely filled for over two hours, I couldn't believe how the vote of the School Board ended.
Number one, since this meeting was so important and affected so many people, I couldn't believe one of the School Board members wasn't there due to a hockey game!  If that hockey game was more important than being at the meeting to cast her vote on such an important issue, then she should have sent in an absentee vote.
I had spoken with this absent individual after the previous School Board meeting and she informed me that she felt Victoria should get the next elementary school.  That was why she voted to reopen the talks.  Her vote tonight would have swung the decision to place the new school in Victoria.  Due to her absence, the vote was a tie and the decision reverted back to Chaska.
I, along with everyone in that room, was dumbfounded and numb.  We couldn't believe what had occurred.  It definitely was a sorry ending for such a promising beginning.  Why, why, why did this happen!  Why couldn't the school superintendent cast a vote to break the tie or why wasn't the board member who was absent given the chance or ordered to cast her vote knowing that she wasn't going to attend?
I felt the way this whole issue was handled was like kicking an old horse when it was down, but the School Board's vote tonight didn't kick the old horse, it killed it!  I hope each one of them can sleep at night with what has transpired.  I know I couldn't.
I think the chair of the School Board should take a long look at herself and see the kind of person she has become.  It's time she remove herself from the Board and get a new perspective on life.  I think she would be a much happier person for herself and her family.
I congratulate the Board members who had the guts to stand up for what was right, instead of looking at the almighty dollar.  The citizens of Victoria, especially our children, deserved much more from our elected School Board.  I hope and pray that their future decisions are handled with better foresight and judgment for all the property owners of District #112. 
Oh, by the way, what percentage of Chaska residents were at the meeting tonight?  And, yes, after I've written this long message I will e proud to leave my name if anyone from the School Board would like to talk.  Thank you for your time.  It's now 11:30 p.m. for me on Thursday, February 24^th.  Good night.
Gene Sansing, Victoria, Minnesota