School levies are critical to funding education
February 3, 2010
By Administrator
By Joel Aune
Ballots for the February 9th election arrived in the mail about two weeks ago for the registered voters living here in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. The ballot includes two school district levy propositions. These levies, if approved by the voters, will renew levies passed back in 2006 that are set to expire in 2010. At this point, many in the community have already marked their ballots and mailed them to King County Elections. For those who have not yet voted, there is still time to cast your ballot on these important measures.
Levy funds are an essential part of our school district’s operating budget. The maintenance and operations levy provides approximately 18 percent of the funds needed for day-to-day operations. The maintenance levy helps to fill the gap between what is provided by the state and what is necessary to sustain educational programming for the students in our schools.
Since the state does not provide revenue to support and maintain technology in our schools, the technology levy is the chief source of funding in this area.
The outcome of the election will have a profound effect on the 6,000 students attending our schools, as these levies provide funding for additional teachers, specialists, and support staff beyond what is funded by the state. These levies also help pay for technology, teacher training, transportation, textbooks, utilities, maintenance and custodial services, and after-school academic, athletic, and activity programs.
In recent years, student achievement in the areas of reading, writing, science and math has been trending steadily upward here in the Snoqualmie Valley School District. Our schools are among the finest in the state. And while we are proud of the level of excellence that has been achieved in our schools, we remain committed to making them even better.
As we continue the quest to make our schools the very best they can be, renewed support of these levies and the resources they provide is critically important.
If you’ve not yet cast your ballot, I encourage you to carefully consider these measures. Strong schools are an essential component of a healthy and vibrant community. Most important, however, the futures of our children will be shaped in our schools as we work with parents and community to prepare them for all that lies ahead after they graduate from our high schools.
We appreciate the support this community provides its schools and the students who attend them. With your continued support, we will be effectively positioned to maintain and further strengthen our schools, benefitting both the community and the young people whom it is our privilege to educate.
Joel Aune is superintendent of Snoqualmie Valley School District.
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