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Last Tuesday’s Millage Election was a victory FOR NO ONE! No one rejoices.
Those of us who opposed both issues want quality schools as much as anyone.
For a person who does not like to balance her own checkbook, even I could see that the numbers did not make good sense. Debt is debt however disguised.

Congratulations to those who took the time to look at the numbers closely and report their findings to us via this letter page. Congratulations also to the young gentleman who wrote with such thoughtfulness and critical thinking skills as to why he opposed the isssues. Many of us resented the comingling of the essential with “THE WISH LIST.” For example, a truly economic alternative to changing the principals office location could be a small camera on his desk, with the door or large gathering area visible on the screen. This cost is approximately $100 and was installed in one of our local church offices by a parrishioner free of charge.

The words regarding previously scheduled repairs “we dropped the ball” were also very troubling. Those of us who grew up in an age where if we lost, abused, or broke something given to us, we then did without. Our parents could not afford to replace it. A friend recently pointed out that the clock at the front of the high school has not worked in at least 8 months. A small thing but somewhat indicative of maintenance issues. It leads me to question whether it was even necessary in the first place.

I believe quality education occurs at the most basic level — the relationship between teacher and student. This relationship can transcend many material needs. Our conference schools certainly have a larger affluent population, so their “extras” might be more prominent than ours can be.

Expressing myself publicly is not something I am used to doing.  However, I have to share some memorable events that have touched me deeply this past year.

As life will have it, I’ve lost both of my parents, many relatives and friends (as most of us have), and time seems to make memories sweeter and our losses a bit easier to handle.  In October, another loved one in my family, John Damelio, passed away.  It was a sudden, devastating, gut-wrenching event. I know many of you can relate to the sadness and numbness we felt.   We turned to the Handler Funeral Home for the services we needed.  Nick and his phenomenal staff handled details that made our wishes for the kind of funeral we wanted come true. They thought of things that slipped our minds, and took control when we needed them to firm up unexpected situations.   They were there for us.  And guess what?  They still are!   In December, we went to a  ‘Remembrance Tree’ lighting ceremony at city hall. Nick is very involved with this event and has a great relationship with Hospice.  All of the people, who Nick and his staff had cared for that year, were remembered in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. The sprinkles of rain this year (not snow) heightened everyone’s emotions.  It was very moving.

I intended to write to the Herald at that time. I wanted everyone to know how there really are people who go the extra mile for others.  Holidays crept up on me and busy lives turn into routines that just don’t permit the extra meaningful things that need to be done. I set my good intentions aside. I didn’t write.

Recently, I was informed that head wrestling coach, Tim Connors, has resigned. I’m not exactly sure as to why this happened. His email announcing his resignation mentioned that there was some who wanted this.

I had two boys that wrestled for Tim in previous years and was hoping to have Tim coach my two younger boys when they reached the high school level. My history here in Tecumseh is long. I am a 1982 graduate and I haven’t left. I can say that I was here when Tim took over a struggling wrestling program. It was not long after that he started a youth wrestling program for children at the elementary level. This greatly improved the student’s awareness to this sport and improved the number of wrestlers at the middle school level. This program was wonderful. It was a soft exposure to a sport that at the high school level has a great physical demand and requires a high standard of commitment. Like all sports, students are required to maintain good grades while being involved with stiff physical training and practice. In addition to this most of the wrestlers have to watch their weight. They have to maintain their weight to be able to compete. If the wrestler does not “make weight” he is not allowed to compete and this can be devastating for the wrestler and the team.

Tecumseh’s wrestling team has had much success in the past years. I believe this is due to high level of commitment and dedication by both the athletes and the coaching staff. Let’s not forget that the Head Coach sets the pace and the direction for the team to follow. All high school teams are invited to team districts but only the winning teams move on to regionals and then on to States. This is something that Tecumseh has done quite often lately. Do not take this for granted. There are schools that never more beyond districts.

On behalf of the Friends of Tecumseh Schools Orchestra (TSO), I would like to thank everyone who helped make our Little Caesar’s Pizza Kit and flower bulbs fundraiser a success. We raised nearly $5,000. Our special thanks go to Tony Menyhart (Supplyside Warehouse), Scott Snyder and his employees at Jerry’s Market, Theresa and Wes Powers, Julie Roberts (flower bulb fundraiser chair), as well as the TSO parents who helped with order fulfillment.

With the community’s generosity, we continue to make progress toward our goal of having an orchestra room and practice rooms at the high school. Thank you!

Heidi Barnes
Little Caesar’s fundraiser chair and TSO mom