Vote yes to reinvest

Public education has problems, and changing state policy to allow funding to follow the student to any public or private school would be a positive step. However, voting no on reinvestment in your local public school does nothing to change state education policy.

A local bond issue is a simple question of whether we want to invest in a public building used not only for education but for a host of other community activities.

Do you have a mortgage on your house? Do you think of buying a house as mortgaging your children’s future or as an investment in shelter for the present and a long-term asset for their future?

The Reardan-Edwall School District last passed a bond in 1978, and the buildings are overdue for reinvestment. Yes, this bond does increase the tax rate by $1.11 per $1,000 over current rates for the expiring capital levy, which barely kept up with increasing maintenance costs.

A building over 30 years old is like a car with 300,000 miles; it may still be running but it’s time for a major rebuild and replacement on all systems.

Please join me in voting yes April 17 to reinvest in our community.

Sue Lani W. Madsen

Edwall, Wash.