Looking around, I see only a few vehicles are parked near the front door. The rest of the parking lot is empty.

Who the heck goes to school in the middle of summer on a Monday night? I found out. Me, school administrators, and the board of education directors for Bemidji Area Schools District.

One year ago I was given the beat of education reporter for the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper. Now I get the “scoop” on what goes on at school.

Because education is my beat, I figured I had best find out more about it. So, I attend school board meetings, hear stuff, record it and jot down notes.

In the process, I find out school board members are ordinary people like you and me who are elected to answer tough questions. And they do so beyond their daily jobs and home lives.

After attending a meeting, I head for the office to write about it. The next morning, you wake up and read about education and the money that supports it, who said what and why, and most importantly, how the students are doing.

I came to Bemidji with my eyes wide open, and I liked what I saw. A playground for outdoor enthusiasts like myself. I also saw the variety of choices people have for education – three charter schools, three private schools, home schooling, three colleges and all the related support services.

One thing I’ve learned so far: Those men and women you elected to serve on the school board are working hard to solve problems under difficult conditions.

I look forward to receiving your e-mails, phone calls or letters letting me know how I’m doing. But, even better, tell me what I don’t know. Let me know about a student and his or her project, someone’s long-held dream of a degree or about a former resident accomplishing beyond expectation.

While living in Bemidji, I expect to learn much. My job is to make your homework easier. While I seek the facts and interpret the details for your morning read, you sit back and enjoy the story.

If you agree or disagree with a story, write to the editor or submit a comment to this blog. Let’s hear your new ideas of educating the youth, handling taxpayer money, and recognizing remarkable students.

This blog is my most recent attempt at sharing what I know with the readership. Enjoy.