Critical programs need funding

I voted yes to Monroe schools! My daughter is a thriving first grader in the Dual Language Program at Frank Wagner. It is a new program and each year a bilingual teacher and para educator must be hired as students move up in grades. Funding is critical and without a levy renewal, this program, as well as many other innovative learning options in Monroe may cease to exist.

It’s not just about alternative learning programs. It is about quality of education and quantity of resources. To hire and retain great educators, we must offer competitive wages. If we want our children to be safe and comfortable to learn, we must provide adequate classrooms and buildings. They should be properly maintained. If we want our children to be able to compete for living wages in the future, we must provide the necessary tools to ensure their technological skills are advancing to meet employer’s needs. If we want to support our students and better our community, we must provide what is needed to maintain and improve our schools.

Education is the key to a successful future. It is our duty to provide whatever is needed to get the job done. You may disagree with the way money has been managed by the district. Fine, participate in the budget process, attend board meetings, volunteer for planning committees, do something productive about it. Voting “no” will not change the way money is handled. It will eliminate any chance for improvement. It will hurt our children. It will hurt our community. It will be a slap in the face to our teachers who have dedicated their lives to our kids. Please make education a priority and vote yes!

Nicole Erickson

Monroe

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Patricia Robles from Cazares Farms hands a bag to a patron at the Everett Farmers Market across from the Everett Station in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Editorial: EBT program a boon for kids’ nutrition this summer

SUN Bucks will make sure kids eat better when they’re not in school for a free or reduced-price meal.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, April 23

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Don’t penalize those without shelter

Of the approximately 650,000 people that meet Housing and Urban Development’s definition… Continue reading

Fossil fuels burdening us with climate change, plastic waste

I believe that we in the U.S. have little idea of what… Continue reading

Comment: We have bigger worries than TikTok alone

Our media illiteracy is a threat because we don’t understand how social media apps use their users.

toon
Editorial: A policy wonk’s fight for a climate we can live with

An Earth Day conversation with Paul Roberts on climate change, hope and commitment.

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Move ahead with state forests’ carbon credit sales

A judge clears a state program to set aside forestland and sell carbon credits for climate efforts.

Eco-nomics: What to do for Earth Day? Be a climate hero

Add the good you do as an individual to what others are doing and you will make a difference.

Comment: Setting record strraight on 3 climate activism myths

It’s not about kids throwing soup at artworks. It’s effective messaging on the need for climate action.

People gather in the shade during a community gathering to distribute food and resources in protest of Everett’s expanded “no sit, no lie” ordinance Sunday, May 14, 2023, at Clark Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Comment: The crime of homelessness

The Supreme Court hears a case that could allow cities to bar the homeless from sleeping in public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.