Impact is widespread

I am writing to urge the public to vote yes on the replacement levy for Spokane Public Schools on the Feb. 14 ballot. The levy provides almost one-fourth of the money needed to offer Spokane’s children quality educational and support programs. It is not an additional tax; it replaces the 2009 levy to sustain current funding.

Spokane’s public school district is one of the largest employers in the city and serves 29,275 students. Levy funding supports teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians, art/music, dropout prevention, security, support staff, sports, clubs, transportation, special-ed, advanced programs and more. School budgets over the past 10 years have been cut by $45.1 million, eliminating positions for teachers, staff, administration and student programs.

Spokane schools depend on the levy to maintain current programs and avoid additional losses. This crucial funding helps to provide students with a well-rounded, safe, successful education. If the levy does not pass, the budget for Spokane Public Schools would be reduced by $74 million over the next two years. Voting yes means supporting our children for the next three years; reducing future expenditures resulting from delinquency, drug use, teen pregnancy, gang involvement, unemployment, welfare, etc., that are linked to school failure.

Meredith Thompson

Spokane