Why I vote ‘yes’ to support schools

My great nephews moved in with us when they were 4 and 5. They had come from a home with drugs, alcohol, no routine or accountability. They were behind in their development. The boys both started kindergarten with IEP’s. They have been on IEP’s every year until this year (they are in 4th and 5th grade). They have both tested out of their IEP’s and in their classes full-time.

This is a result of the hard work of the resources that were provided to them from our last set of levies. Without those funds our schools would have to scale back, and the kids who need that extra support wouldn’t get it. I ran for the school board seeing how much our schools help our kids, and I felt it was a great way to give back to our community.

Now our schools are asking for the community’s help to continue to support our schools. Please, even though your kids are grown and no longer in these schools, don’t stop supporting. Schools are where our future community starts, and our future community needs a great education.

Steve Larson, Arlington

They can afford tax increases

Regarding your editorial ‘Honestly Marysville Taxes are Lower,’ – thankfully this is an opinion because you left out some facts, not unusual in journalism.

Property taxes are largely assessed as a function of property values. The list you provided reflects the cities/towns/areas with higher valuations and therefore higher taxes – Woodway, Mill Creek, etc.

But we don’t live there, and our homes aren’t generally worth $1.5 million or more. As a result of their wealth they can afford 30% increases. We cannot as a blue-collar community. Did you not read that also? Please include all the facts in editorials.

Patrick Haugen, Marysville