I tagged along Monday with Superintendent David Deragisch and H-BC School Board members as they traveled to St. Paul in hopes of encouraging education finance reform. As you may have read on the front page of this week’s Crescent, the day was filled with highs and lows.As a newer member of the Hills community, I was impressed when the majority of H-BC voters in November’s election agreed to increase their taxes in order to better the education of the community’s children.I don’t have children of my own, but I adore children and think the most important years of a person’s life are those spent in a classroom. I feel the imagination and drive fueled during elementary school years determine where children end up as adults. Without qualified teachers, adequate resources and heated buildings children will not have as many opportunities to find their calling in life.Apparently voters in my community realize that importance as well. For that I am proud to be a resident of Hills and plan to stick around so that the children in my future can grow to be a part of such a loyal and committed community.Unfortunately, other school districts are not lucky enough to have the voters that H-BC has. State lawmakers have not given additional funding to education in more than two years and from what I was hearing on Monday, it seems their answer to financial problems in schools is to lean on the local taxpayers.That seems like a great solution for the lawmakers, because it puts the responsibility on local school boards. They just have to be able to convince district voters to help supplement the football team’s travels, the new science books, gas for the buses, etc.Even as close as Luverne, a referendum didn’t pass when brought to the ballot in November. Now those school leaders will be forced to find additional cuts in their already thin budget.Without a school in our community the families with children would move, and without children in the parks and on the basketball courts a community is dormant.As an objective observer, it was apparent to me that Rep. Doug Magnus does not plan on being a voice for rural education in southwest Minnesota.He had a deep concern for the plight of the 1,100 nursing homes in his district and an even greater desire to get his statewide transportation bill completed. But he didn’t express compassion for the teachers that had to be cut from the H-BC staff or for the education opportunities predicted to decrease in Luverne because that referendum didn’t pass.As a political science major in college, I am a fan of politics. The attitudes and tactics of politicians intrigue me, but the transparency in Rep. Magnus’ words and actions on Monday disgusted me.I know that if he authors a statewide transportation bill, his clout in St. Paul will increase by leaps and bounds, but what will it do for his constituents in District 22A? Will getting Hwy 60 repaved or the bus system in Minneapolis overhauled really affect those of us living in his district? I don’t think so, and I go to Mankato to visit my brother at least once a month.I stood with Rep. Magnus and the officials from H-BC on the second floor of the Capitol at 4:25 p.m. just a half hour prior to the start of the rally. The man that represents us wouldn’t even take an hour out of his day to stand on the steps with us and show his support.I understand that good Minnesota Republicans cannot be in favor of new state taxes, but I think a good Republican would have at least faked some interest in our cause.H-BC will be OK next year and probably the year after that, but if something is not done to change the way state lawmakers are prioritizing education, H-BC will be in trouble.So, as a new member of this community and as someone who wants a strong school to send her children to in the future, I am asking — no, begging — please call or write Rep. Magnus and let him know that education is a priority for his voters.Let him know that the rural voters who elected him in southwest Minnesota are watching to see what he is doing for their children and grandchildren.He plans to hold educators accountable. Well, I think we need to hold him accountable. He is our voice and if he is not aware of our concerns then we have no right to complain when he doesn’t stand up for us.Call Rep. Doug Magnus at (651) 296-5505 or email rep.doug.magnus@house.mnThis is our chance to make a difference. The legislative session will end in May and by the end of the session, a new budget for the state of Minnesota will have been approved. We need education to be a part of this budget.Comments or story ideas can be emailed to me at lexim@star-herald.com or called in to 283-2333 or 962-3561.