My name is Marcus Satterlee and I am a senior at Mariner High School in the Mukilteo School District. Mukilteo allows one student from each high school to serve as an honorary director to the board of education for one year terms, and I am Mariner’s director for the 2013-2014 school year. The other two student directors, Aubrey Patrick of Kamiak and Wessel Pieters of ACES, and I would like to voice our opinions regarding our district and their upcoming initiatives on the Feb. 11 ballot.
On Jan. 13, I had the privilege to listen to a presentation by Dr. Les Kendrick, a district consultant on urban development. Currently, out district has nearly 15,000 students enrolled; growing by 250 students this past year alone with many more expected in the future. Dr. Kendrick predicts that in the next 10 years, our schools will grow by over 2,000 students due to the hundreds of new housing units currently for sale or proposed for construction within our boundaries.
As a student, I can say from firsthand experience that our schools are bursting at the seams. The only way to relieve the crowding is to build more elementary space. I cannot stress the importance of passing this bond and levy enough. Unlike levies, which need a 50 percent plus 1 vote approval rate, bonds need a higher 60 percent plus one vote approval. Passing these two initiatives is imperative to the continued success of our district.
Many reap the benefits of our schools, but now is the time for action. It is time to show support for our district’s culture and future. The students and staff in Mukilteo are some of the finest in the country and deserve the public’s support. To ensure the continuation of our success, our communities need to come out and support the Mukilteo School District. On Feb. 11, vote yes for the students, vote yes for the staff, vote yes for our way of life, and vote yes for the assurance of a successful Mukilteo, a successful Washington, and a successful United States. Vote yes for Mukilteo schools.
Marcus Satterlee, Mariner Student Director
Aubrey Patrick, Kamiak Student Director
Wessel Pieters, ACES Student Director
Everett
