It’s about supporting and valuing our kids

Lake Stevens voters should vote yes on Feb. 8.

We have a great opportunity to say to the children of the greater Lake Stevens area that we support and value them. As a former teacher, I understand and know the needs of the kids of our community. Is it too much to ask ourselves to value the educational needs of our children?

Our tax dollars are spent locally, statewide, nationally and throughout the world. With this bond measure, our tax dollars will be spent at home where they are needed to better the lives of our children and community. Before I was a taxpayer, other people paid for my education through their taxes. Now it is my turn. In other parts of the world, children don’t have the opportunity to go to school because it is out of the reach of their parents. In this great country every child, no matter if they are rich or poor, has the opportunity to go to school.

My taxes will increase roughly by $9 a month. This equates to one less trip to Starbucks, McDonalds or the movies.

My daughter will be graduating this year and moving on to the University of Washington. During her time as a student, she felt disconnected from the school environment due to the overcrowding. She felt like just another number in the growing enrollment. When I was a student, we knew everyone in our class and the classes below us. We knew all of our teachers, and they knew us. We wonder why so many students fall through the cracks today. There is no longer a sense of community. We have a wonderful opportunity to bring the community back to the classroom.

As a community, it is our obligation to provide for our children so they will be happy, safe and succeed in life.

Pat Cook

Lake Stevens

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