On our February ballot, we will see two levies proposed by the Port Townsend School District.

The education programs and school support levy will fund special education, music and the arts, libraries, nutrition and wellness, sports and other important programs.

The capital levy will support improvements to student technology, safety and ADA access, all of which improve learning opportunities and the learning environment.

While the McCleary decision in Olympia has increased funding to school districts for employee compensation, state support has never fully funded local programs and other routine operations and small capital projects that are critical to quality education.

To provide the programs and technology and facilities improvements listed above, continuing support through a local levy is required.

The current school maintenance and operations levy will be expiring, and the proposed levies combined will replace it at the same levy rate we currently pay. Approval of these levies will not increase the property tax levy rate requested by our school district.

When I was in school, somebody paid to provide me with a good public school education. Quality education has always required local support, and taxpayers provide that support for the next generation.

Of all the investments supported by tax dollars, the investment in our kids is the most important.

Please join me and vote yes on both levy requests.

RICHARD JAHNKE
Port Townsend