Marysville schools needs are real, but taxes are too high

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 20, 2020

I read with interest this morning that Marysville School District capital levy has failed with 58.6 percent voting no. It is also interesting that only about 30 percent of the eligible voters in the district voted.

I and the voters who voted no on Proposition 1 realize that the Marysville School District is obviously in dire need of funds to upgrade, replace or construct new facilities to accommodated the rapid growth of student enrollment. Having said the above, how much is enough and how much can the taxpayer continue to be taxed.

I assume there are many others who like myself have reached the limit of how much they can afford to pay on fixed incomes. I know of working couples with children who are struggling to make ends meet. These people as well as the retired folks simply can not endure more taxes on top of what they are struggling with now.

I realize the district needs money to keep up with the growth but at what expense?

People have reached a saturation point of taxation.

I am also a tad bewildered by the following and what the return is for my tax dollars to educate our youth: Marysville Pilchuck High School has an academic rating significantly lower than the average for Washington high schools based on its low test performance, low graduation rate and average AP course participation. It is ranked 286th in the best public high schools in Washington.

The above is troubling and I am concerned what the district is doing to improve the ranking that is pale in comparison to other schools in our state.

Earl M. Haas

Lake Stevens