Why Cheney needs levies

I am writing this letter in support of the Cheney Public School’s Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy of February 13.

I started working as a paraeducator about nine years ago after moving to Spokane and am now the registrar and attendance secretary at Westwood Middle School. Each day I interact with children who benefit from the community passing this previous levy.

A new three-year levy is on the ballot this year, and with this levy, taxpayers will see their property tax decrease from 2017’s $2.90 per thousand to $1.50 per thousand in 2019. It will also provide funds for day-to-day educational programs and operations, thus making up the difference between what it costs to operate schools and what is provided by state funding.

The new levy provides teachers and support staff in the form of nurses, health aides, speech therapists and occupational and physical therapists beyond those provided by the state.

Without this levy, the district will not received Local Effort Assistance funding, which will in turn directly affect the needs addressed about but will also affect the extra-curricular and activities programs which are dependent upon levy dollars. Please vote yes!

Melanie Horton

Spokane