Stakes Are High In School Election

Congratulations, voters. And keep that interest level high. There is more work to do. Important work, with a close-to-home payoff.

On Tuesday, neighborhood caucuses will complete the business of choosing which Democrat and Republican presidential candidates Washington will support.

A week from Tuesday, on March 14, many public schools in our area will ask voters to renew the property tax levies that supply between 15 and 20 percent of their operating budgets.

Last week’s presidential primary election attracted surprisingly high turnout from Washington’s voters, thanks to the heavily publicized contest in both political parties.

This, despite the fact that many of the votes didn’t count. Yes, the election sent a resounding message about the candidates’ viability in the market of public opinion. However, it will be on Tuesday, at neighborhood caucuses, when Republicans and Democrats will decide whom Washington state will support for president at the party nominating conventions this summer.

So, voters who want to exert real leverage in that process have more to do: Attend the caucuses. These gatherings are an exercise in old-fashioned, grass-roots politics. Neighbors meet one another, say what they think and are welcome to do so. So long as participation is high, this is a healthy civic exercise.

For information about caucus times and locations, please check the regional news section of today’s Spokesman-Review.

But let’s face it: Important as the presidential race is, the much quieter, relatively unpublicized school levy elections on March 14 will have an even bigger, more immediate impact on the quality and future of our communities.

Public schools educate a majority of the children in our neighborhoods. Schools have a lot to do with whether children succeed or fail later in life. Think back to your own school days, and reflect on the influence of your favorite teachers.

The funding of good public schools is far from automatic.

Washington state government pays a majority of the cost of public schools, but it does not pay all of the cost.

Local property tax levies, which have to be renewed by local voters every few years, allow communities to improve the quality of instruction. Levies fund an array of services and activities that make the difference between success and failure for students.

Recent reforms are requiring students to meet higher academic standards. This creates a need for teacher training, better curricula, and after-school homework centers that offer tutoring and research facilities. Levies help provide these things.

Most of the levies at stake on March 14 do not raise taxes. Rather, they simply continue current taxes and programs. Whether you will vote on the 14th or right away by absentee ballot, contact your local schools and ask for levy information. You’ll find, we believe, that your neighborhood’s schools need and deserve your support.