Preserving a rich history at the Hibbing High School

Preserving history comes in many forms, but funding is always needed to accomplish the job. Today at Hibbing High School, a few Minnesota Senators were able to take a tour and hear concerns regarding the state of the school.

Educator Dan Merfeld says everything comes down to funding. In order to maintain a historic building, additional funding is needed to get there. “We are doing everything we can to be cutting edge with current education and what our students need.”

Now it’s up to lawmakers to push legislation forward. Senator Rob Farnsworth of Hibbing says there was a push last year that made it through the Senate but was stopped at the House level. He adds that he will continue to push for this funding in future years.

Senators Steve Cwodzinski and Mary Kunesch say that their hands are tied as of right now. They say there isn’t a whole lot they can do yet. They add they appreciate the tour and hospitality of those showing them the historic site.

Hibbing High School is on the National Historic Registry and Merfeld says its one of the only schools on the registry in the state to operate with students inside. He adds that there are so many hardworking iron rangers that come out the Hibbing High School.

Students also were voicing their concerns today. Student council member Jackson Baringer says he often talks to students about concerns and one is always maintenance. “I always see construction outside but we need it inside as well.”

He adds that he has noticed some of the metal that is on the stairs is starting to deteriorate. Baringer says that another big concern is mobility within the school. “It’s all stairs and the only elevator is slow and limited to those with an injury.”

When the building was first built in the 1920’s, it was the miners who sacrificed their hard earned money to provide future generations with education.