LETTERS - FEBRUARY 9, 2010 SPECIAL ELECTION

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GUEST COLUMN: Reasons to support SJ School District Maintenance and Operations Levy on Feb. 21 ballot

Vote Yes for San Juan Island Levies

posted 01/30/2010
By now you have received your mail-in ballot. We hope that you consider thoughtfully the two proposed levy areas and return your YES votes in support of Proposal #1 for our school district and Proposal #2 for our EMS.

As educators we believe that schools are four walls with the future inside. We believe that a YES vote for the renewal of the M & O Levy is an essential investment for continued student success. We can be proud of the excellence of Friday Harbor Elementary, Middle and High Schools. Let's keep it that way.

The State of Washington does not fully support schools financially and the M & O Levy makes up one-fifth of the total school budget. This 20% flows directly into the classrooms and after-school instructional programs providing teachers and staff with reasonable class size, staffing for music, visual arts, advanced placement vocational technical classes, on-line and alternative options for all our students.

And then...vote YES for the renewal of the EMS Levy. Don't you agree with us that their service for us is essential? Can you imagine our island without them?

Voters in the past have approved our essential levies. February 9th election with both M& O and EMS levies ARE essential as they ensure sustaining quality education in our schools and maintaining our island quality of life. Your YES vote today protects our tomorrows!

Sincerely,
Carolyn Haugen and Emily Reed

Help Continue Our Outstanding Schools

Dear Editor,

posted 01/27/2010
We are very fortunate to have an outstanding school system on San Juan Island. Our district students score in the top 25% in the state and are admitted to colleges and universities around the country and internationally. Friday Harbor High School was recently one of seven high schools in the state nominated for the prestigious blue ribbon for outstanding academic performance.

The community needs to continue to support our schools through the February 9, 2010 ballot on the renewal of the four-year maintenance and operations levy (M&O). This renewal sustains the funding of our instructional and co-curricular programs including:

• Teaching positions
  
  
• Staffing of music, arts and libraries
  
  
• Advanced Placement, vocational and community-based courses
  
  
• Current transportation levels
  
  

The collection years for the M&O levy are 2010 through 2014 and the levy amount would be $232 per year on a home assessed at $400,000 for the first year, graduating to $336 per year in the final year of the levy. These amounts take into consideration anticipated increases in teachers salaries as designated by the legislature and anticipated cost increases for utilities and other fixed costs. Should the increases be smaller than anticipated, the difference will not be collected and taxes would be less.

The purpose of renewal of our M&O levy is to sustain our instructional programs. Please help continue the excellent education that we have for our children here on San Juan Island by voting YES for the renewal of the levy and mailing or hand-delivering your ballot to the Elections Office or collection boxes no later than February 9, 2010.

Thank you for supporting our schools,

Ann Harris
Lisa Anderson
Paul LeBaron
Pamela Williams
Nancy Young
Emily Carrington
San Juan Public Schools Foundation Board Members

Support for the SJISD M&O levy request

Dear Editor,

posted 01/14/2010
I am not a pro tax person BUT support of the EMS tax levy is a must! This is one of the best things we can do.

Marilyn Nasman

Support for the SJISD M&O levy request

posted 01/10/2010
On February 9th, San Juan Island voters will be asked to renew their investment in local education by voting 'yes' for the M&O levy. This maintenance and operations levy is not a new tax; it is an existing levy which is renewed every four years by San Juan Island voters. The M&O levy funds provide nearly 20 percent of the entire school district budget.

For decades, San Juan Island voters have supported their schools at the polls. As a community, we have understood the importance of this investment: strong schools equal strong communities. Many local businesses rely on the fact that we have good school system. As a Realtor, I know that my business depends on quality schools to attract and retain families. These families then support our local stores, services, and tradespeople, which is critical to maintaining our small island economy.

Please join me in voting "YES"for Schools on February 9th.

Kelly Snow
Realtor

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2010

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