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To options for public involvement in the search for a new Albert Lea superintendent.

The Albert Lea school district this week announced it has opened a survey for stakeholders, parents, staff, students and community members to fill out in regards to the search for a new superintendent.

The survey will be open through Feb. 19 and will be anonymous.

We encourage people to get involved in expressing their priorities for this very important position.

We also encourage the school board to consider hosting an additional opportunity for the public to be involved — even with something as simple as a community meet-and-greet with the finalists. The public can also get involved by observing the interviews.

If you haven’t already, visit alschools.org to fill out the survey. Whether you’re a parent, staff member or simply a community member, you can weigh-in.

To support from the community for this newspaper.

We were excited to receive 14 awards Thursday night in the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest, and when it all boils down to it, none of that would be possible without all of you, our readers, who support what we do.

Thank you for talking with our staff for stories and photos, for advertising your businesses in the newspaper’s pages and for trusting us to bring you news that’s accurate and that matters.

We are honored to be able to tell your stories and feel privileged that you will share of things that are important to you.

As we move forward with the rest of the year, we hope we can continue to be a source you rely on.

To the businesses that stepped up to make a small changing room for referees and hockey players in a portion of the skate-changing area outside Nystrom Rink at City Hall.

Thanks to Attig Construction, Geneva Lumber, Rink Systems and Albert Lea Electric, which stepped up to build a changing room for referees and hockey players at Albert Lea City Arena.

Albert Lea City Manager Ian Rigg during the Monday Albert Lea City Council meeting said the Recreation Department staff had expected to build the room themselves, but the companies stepped up to offer their supplies and services.

Thanks to these local businesses for sharing your skills and resources to better this community resource. It’s great to see the support for this facility and the community’s youth.