Wouldn’t it be great if kids could vote for the levy? | Letter

Published 1:30 am Monday, July 6, 2020

Kids would vote yes to have schools with fully-funded programs in all the areas this levy represents. Fully funded schools have a full array of programs including band and orchestra, computer class, sports and activities. Fully funded schools support signature programs such as our Farm to Table Program with a student garden and classroom experience. Fully funded schools have enough teachers to spend time with all the students.

People who come inside our school recognize and appreciate the need for fully funded schools. Many of the people who own land on Orcas Island do not have children in this school, but the people who work for them do. Kids depend on the largesse of property owners to include education in their charitable giving portfolio. Staff, teachers and volunteers see how many students have free or reduced lunch to assure good nutrition, how busy adults are keeping everyone safe, how kids crave more computer time.

This levy will help pay teachers and give special education the one-on-one experience many children dearly need. It will keep technology going. During the Coronavirus closure, every laptop in the school was sent to a home that needed technology to stay connected to learning!

The tax that this levy represents was approved by voters so this levy is the 20% not yet collected. It runs about $25 per month for most property owners, about the cost of a nice bottle of wine, or a couple of tickets to the movies. Support the August Replacement Levy with a yes vote. Kids stuff, right?

Vicki O’Keefe

Librarian, Orcas School District