The pressure is on in our public schools.
Federal and state demands for greater accountability have educators sharpening their focus. The stakes are about to rise for students, who soon will have to pass rigorous tests in reading, writing and math (and, eventually, science) before they can graduate. Charter schools, finally approved by the Legislature this year, may soon create new competitive pressures.
The last thing our schools can take is big financial hit. But that’s what will happen in the Arlington, Lakewood and Monroe school districts if voters don’t approve maintenance and operations levies on April 27. Mail ballots were sent out last week.
The proposed levies aren’t new, they’re a continuation of existing taxes — the districts liken them to a magazine subscription that must be renewed. Lakewood’s and Monroe’s call for very modest increases to cover rising costs for things like utilities, and Arlington’s proposal is actually a little less than its current levy.
School districts count on local levies for nearly 20 percent of their budgets.
This vote is particularly crucial because it marks the second and final time these districts can ask voters for support this year. All three received solid majority support the first time around, but fell just short of the required 60 percent approval rate.
Another failure would force devastating cuts. Class sizes would increase, fewer educational materials would be purchased and extracurricular activities, from athletics to extra transportation, could be dropped. And, clearly, staff and teaching jobs would have to be eliminated.
Given the strong support for these levies earlier this year, it’s a safe bet that they’ll pass if school supporters actually make the effort to vote. School officials always report hearing from parents that they just assumed their levy would pass, so they didn’t bother to cast a ballot. That excuse won’t be good enough this time around.
With all that’s expected of educators and students these days, they need and deserve the support of their local communities. If you received an absentee ballot in the mail and haven’t sent it in, do so today, and remind your neighbors to do the same. If you’re not an absentee voter, circle April 27 on your calendar, show up at your polling place and vote yes for schools.
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