Approving M&O levy is critical for school | Letter
Published 4:35 pm Wednesday, November 23, 2011
We want to thank voters for passing the levy that paid for necessary repairs to the elementary school!
With more cuts from the state ahead, it will be more critical than ever that the Orcas Island School District Maintenance and Operations levy is passed in February! This will not be a new levy, but would replace the expiring M & O Levy. The M & O Levy helps to pay for teacher and staff that are not covered by the state, as well as other costs the district has.
In the legislative session that begins Nov. 28, the governor’s proposed education cuts for the coming school year will be considered. These are:
• Cut the school year by 5 days (or 10)
• Eliminate full-day kindergarten
• Eliminate bus transportation
• Increase class sizes by two students in grades 4 through 12 (Washington State already is the third wrost state in the nation on class size!)
• Slash funding for 1,000 preschool students
• Reduce funding for small high schools (critical to our island schools)
• Cut salaries further (teachers already had their salaries cut 1.9% this year alone, as well as additional cuts in pay in the past two years – while continuing to be expected to do more with less)
• Reduce funding for K-12 employees’ health benefits (state funding for this has not been keeping up with the increase cost in health insurance)
• Cut higher education even further.
These education cuts are in addition to more severe cuts to social and health services that benefit students, including children’s health insurance, the basic health plan, child welfare and family assistance.
How can we provide for the education our children need to compete for jobs, further their education beyond K-12 and be lifelong learners?
Please contact your state representatives ASAP to insist they find additional revenue to support our students’ education and the services that make our communities safe, healthy and strong. Their names and contact info are:
• Rep. Kris Lytton (on Education Committee!) kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7800
• Senator Kevin Ranker Kevin.Ranker@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7678
• Rep. Jeff Morris jeff/morris@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7970
Orcas Education Association Executive Committee
