Think schools

Thank you to every Arlington citizen who has supported previous bonds and levies. The successful passage of these measures has resulted in thousands of children receiving new schools, needed supplies or equipment and a quality education.

If it weren’t for the support of prior generations, we would not have such a strong school community and great kids becoming great adults. These kids are now your teachers, first responders, service providers, military service members, community leaders, government officials, etc.

I would like to ask for your continued support to vote yes for three measurers on the Feb. 11 ballot for Arlington School District:

1. Prop 1 – E P & O levy (Educational programs and operations levy). If passed this will provide about 10% of the district’s operational funds.

2. Prop 2 – Capital levy. This would provide funding for more classrooms at Arlington High School, sprinklers and fire alarms at an elementary school and new flooring at several elementary schools, among other things.

3. Prop 3 – replace Post Middle School.

As our community grows the tax rate would not increase but actually decrease. The new combined district tax rate would be about $3.49 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from the $4.93 approved in 2016.

Education is the greatest gift we can give our children. I think there is a tremendous amount of pride in our schools, and it is one of the reasons I am proud to call Arlington home.

Kay Duskin, Arlington

Reflect on schools

As the Feb. 11 school district levy nears, I encourage voters to reflect on a few things.

Reflect what the citizens of the community you grew up in did so you could receive an education. What sacrifices did they make? Did you feel the community was solidly behind educating its youth? Next, reflect on what kind of community you want to live in and build for the future. Think about what was happening in this country after World War II. Houses and schools were going up at record pace as survivors of the war came home to return to work and raise a family. Cascade and Liberty would have been built at the time their children would have been entering school. The needs of students and teachers have changed since these schools were built. I want to live in a community that has students going to schools that are safe because doors can be locked to prevent harm to students and staff. I want students and teachers to be in building that are earthquake-proof. I want students and teachers to be in buildings where parts can be obtained to fix heating and electrical problems. I want students and teachers to be in buildings where they have the electrical capacity for the technology needed to teach and learn.

Reflect on the community you want to live in and the legacy you want to leave behind as you vote Feb. 11.

Martha Cetina, Marysville

Discipline is a key

Why won’t Marysville voters pass a school levy? Don’t these selfish, hard-hearted citizens know that our school buildings are falling down? Lakewood schools superintendent’s column Jan. 18 in the Marysville Globe is a perfect example of the reason why.

He says, “Our goal is to deepen the interactions in the classroom in ways that make disruptions less frequent and easier to manage.” Sorry, Mr. Peacock, but that sounds like gobbledygook along with about 50% of your article.

You aren’t listening. Unfortunately, school levies are the only way voters, the people who pay you, have to tell you we don’t like what’s going on in our schools. Disruptive kids, who take up the teacher’s time and attention, are pitiful and need help but not at the expense of ordinary kids who have the right to an orderly classroom. Kids, who show up not ready to learn, need remedial help. They do not need you to lower the standards for everyone else so they can pass.

You want great Marysville schools. We do too, but beautiful classrooms won’t do any good without good order and reasonable expectations in those rooms.

Joan R. Dufresne, Marysville

Back Lakcwood measures

I am a mother of two children in the Lakewood School District, and I am asking Lakewood voters to join me in voting yes on both Replacement Levies that will be on the ballot Feb. 11.

The Replacement Levy for Educational Programs and Operations funds extracurricular activities for students, curriculum resources, staff development, facilities upkeep and mental health services. The Replacement Levy for Technology and Capital Improvements funds instructional technology and capital projects; computers for students and staff, security systems, heating and cooling systems, and more.

When we pass school levies, we send a message that this is a good place for families. Passing levies tell schools that we see their value and that value is reciprocated through our children’s learning experience. Our school board and leadership have demonstrated their ability to be fiscally responsible and make positive changes with our investment. Even if you don’t have children in Lakewood Schools, the ripple effect of a strong school district can mean the improvement of housing values and higher achieving citizens that can contribute to their community.

Our schools are exceptional, the investment and emphasis to keep our schools strong will create positive momentum for our future. I encourage you to vote yes.

Marissa Schroeder, Arlington

Principal seeks support

As Arlington High School principal I have a front-row seat at the amazing work our staff is doing. I am incredibly proud of the education our kids are receiving before they head off to life beyond AHS. Prop. 1 is not an increase – it was voluntarily reduced as a result of a school board that really gets fiscal responsibility to our voters. It is our day-to-day operations fund, and it is critical for learning. Prop. 2 is a capital ask from voters to add a STEM space and eight classrooms to AHS, along with much-needed safety updates to every building in the district. The district decreased the term of debt from a bond to a levy that will expire in 2024 and added $1.15 per $1,000 in assessed value during that time. The final ask is to replace Post Middle School, and that need is clear. Tour the building – fixing the existing site is not the way to go. It’s affordable if we act now. From 2020-40, there is a small increase to our local funding that is worth the investment for our kids. See the impact at asd.wednet.edu/2020_levies_and_bond. Thank you for considering a yes vote on all three measures. Duane Fish, Arlington

Principal: New Post needed

Our community is blessed to have a great education system; we take for granted that it will always remain that way. To ensure exceptional schools, we need to make sure our system works for everyone. As a parent in our community and principal of Post Middle School, I will support the bond and levies. I hope other citizens do the same.

Simply stated, our facility is not able to provide for the learning and safety of our kids. Our talented district maintenance and technology teams spend many hours here helping us run smoothly. This includes the individual monitoring of heating and cooling pumps located in 22 locations around campus and the maze of electrical fixes we have developed each year to keep up with needs. We also need regular major remodeling work done. This has included mitigating the asbestos, not a problem when the school was built, to fabricating new doors where old ones have not stood the test of time.

The staff works tirelessly to build students with strong academic and character skills. Each day 650 students look to me for guidance and safety; I know that in our current building we cannot provide the level of protection society demands. Our community needs to lift some of this burden. The students deserve to focus on what they do best – learning.

Vote yes on all three Arlington School District measures and be sure our students are prepared to lead us in the future.

Voni Walker, Arlington