The two districts with the most Snohomish County students are asking voters to approve election measures that are important to the future of schools in their communities.
Everett School District voters will consider two measures. Proposition 1 is a four-year levy for school programs and operations, a measure that will replace the district’s expiring operations levy. Proposition 2 is a 15-year, $74 million bond issue for school renovation projects and technology and security improvements. We recommend voters say yes to both propositions.
In the Edmonds School District, voters will decide three measures. Proposition 1 is a four-year replacement levy to continue local support for school programs and operations. Proposition 2 is a 20-year, $110 million capital improvements bond issue for construction. Proposition 3 is a four-year levy for technology improvements. Voters should say yes to the Edmonds School District’s three propositions.
In both districts, supporters of the measures have made excellent cases for the well-conceived proposals.
For Edmonds and Everett — as for other county districts — there is no more vital matter than the replacement levies. While the state Legislature claims that it funds basic education, it doesn’t. In Everett, 18 percent of the operating budget comes from the local levy that is expiring. Close to 20 percent of Edmonds’ budget comes from the expiring levy. A levy loss would force either district to look at devastating cuts to school programs and staffing.
With their current local levies expiring, both districts are seeking replacement levy approval for four years. For Everett, this is the first time to request the maximum extension, which allows greater stability and reduced costs for holding elections.
Everett’s bond includes classroom additions to accommodate growing enrollments at Gateway Middle School, Penny Creek Elementary and Jackson High School. Complete renovations are planned for Emerson Elementary and Eisenhower Middle School, where a tour provides convincing proof of the needs and maintenance savings. Eisenhower’s students deserves a modern school, not an outdated one. The $21 million technology portion of the bond is wisely designed so repayment takes place in the first six years.
In Edmonds, the bond includes replacement of Lynnwood High School and Scriber Lake High School. The near-desperate need at Lynnwood can be somewhat obscured by the new recreational fields. The bond measure also includes seismic upgrades and small projects throughout the district. Proposition 3, the technology measure, will expire after four years.
Between them, the Edmonds and Everett districts serve approximately 40,000 students. On Feb. 5, voters will answer important questions about the education of all those young people. The answers should be positive, even enthusiastic.
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