Levies hold key to kids’ education

Editorial

Posted

Did you know that, of the $18 million general fund for the Port Townsend School district, $3 million comes from local levies?

While the vast majority (close to $15 million) comes from state and federal sources, local citizens pay for about one-sixth of the cost of our local schools.

That, according to our school representatives, is par for the course.

Which begs the question: What are we paying for?

It’s the locally sourced produce your children are learning how to cultivate, along with education on the nutritional and environmental benefits of growing and cooking their own food.

It’s the maritime education so important to the history and the future of our community. Such place-based learning helps our kids better appreciate the community in which they live.

It’s teachers’ salaries. These are the men and women we entrust with helping our children become critical thinkers so they will act as informed citizens — people who don’t just exist but make our world a better place.

On Feb. 12, Port Townsend School District voters will decide whether or not to pass a capital levy and a general fund levy to continue pay for our schools.

If the levies don’t pass, we limit our children’s access to becoming productive members of society. We dull their ability to shine as brightly as they might.

This is why we are obligated, as a community, to support our children and the teachers who educate them.

From the perspective of your wallet, it won’t cost much more than it has in the past.

We’ve already been paying taxes for most of the needs of our schools, but due to a recent state mandate, levies like these are required to cover enhancements you’ve already been paying for.

If you want your schools to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (they aren’t), support these levies.

If you want your children to have a better life than you’ve had, vote yes on these levies.