By Chrys Sweeting

Thank you to all Arlington families, staff and community members who voted in the Feb. 11 election. Arlington Public Schools’ Educational Programs and Operations and Capital Levies have passed. Your continued support of our students, staff and schools is greatly appreciated and will allow our district to continue providing staffing and services at their current level, while enhancing our learning spaces.

The Post Middle School Bond did not reach the 60% approval needed to pass. We are disappointed in that. We will continue to work to find ways to meet the facility needs of our Post students and staff.

Renewal of the EP&O Levy will allow us to continue funding for day-to-day operations. This levy renewal funds teachers, counselors, paraeducators and nurses; covers the purchase of technology and instructional materials; and continues funding extracurricular activities like robotics, band, choir, drama

and athletics.

The Capital Levy will enable the district to make additional safety and security improvements at every school; add classrooms to reduce crowding at Arlington High School; modernize learning spaces to prepare students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields; and extend the life of school buildings.

Much work went into developing these funding measures. Our Facilities Advisory Committee evaluated past and future measures and listened to the community, ultimately making recommendations to the board based on the community’s priorities. Our staff and the Arlington School Board ensured the district developed measures that provide our students with educational opportunities districtwide. And the Citizens Committee for APS volunteered their time to help ensure our community understood the importance of these measures.

By approving the levies our community has committed to helping us meet our goal to educate, prepare and inspire every student.

Chrys Sweeting is superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, which runs a monthly column in this newspaper.