The fate of the AB-Backus across the river in International Falls, Mn. should be decided next week but one of the groups vying for control of the complex said they are being ignored.
The school board in International Falls has received proposals for control over the complex from two community groups, “Citizens for Backus-AB” and “Character for Backus/AB.”
“Citizens for Backus-AB” has been raising money to purchase and operate the complex from community pledges and fundraising events for the past several months.
Meanwhile, Ernest Witmer, who heads “Character for Backus/AB, “is trying to bring in U.S. national groups “Institute in Basic Life Principles Inc.” based in Chicago and “Character First” of Oklahoma to offer character training and development in the community.
He said he has the support of many local businesses and individuals ready to come up with the money necessary to cover the $100,000 a year operating costs for the complex.
“We cannot continue to allow our children to be adrift in a culture lacking an accurate sense of moral compass,” he wrote in a letter to the school board.
“What they will do with the community, especially if they partner with ‘Character First,’ is they would provide a good hub for kids’ character training and development,” Witmer said.
He has asked the school board to extend a formal invitation to I.B.L.P. to come to the area and take control over the building since he said they will not come unless formally invited.
The school board has until the end of the month to accept or reject the proposals and enter into negotiations. Witmer said he hasn’t heard anything from the school board so far.
“What I think happened is that they plowed right over our offer in favour of the citizens’ group,” he charged.
“I do applaud the board for giving consideration to the citizens’ group and the opportunity to save the building,” Witmer added. “That’s all both groups want.”
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