State provides enough support; vote no on Marysville levy

As a native of the state and long time resident of Snohomish County, living in the Marysville School District, my foster children have attended Marysville schools and more recently, so have their children.

I am asking you to vote no on the Marysville School District’s levy this February. We need to send a message to the district that they need to seriously adjust their priorities and use the funds already provided by the state in a more fiscally responsible manner. Taxpayers are not their sugar daddy! Our property tax bills will arrive right after this vote, and they will reflect last year’s assessed value of real estate, which was exploding.

Despite prior levies that were passed with a very low percentage of voters even participating, the Marysville student performance scores continue to be among the poorest in the region. They are failing our students regardless of funds.

The district has not allocated funds toward the priorities that actually educate our children to become functional adults. They don’t even provide paper and pencils for children to do their school work but ask the students to bring the “necessary school supplies” on the first day of school. This is an unaffordable and unfair burden to especially lower income families when the state is supposed to provide the funds required for public school education. (A majority of the district’s enrolled students qualify for free lunches, based on family income.)

Perhaps it is time to switch to school vouchers and allow parents to choose which school their child attends, public or private.

Please vote Feb. 14. Vote No on the Marysville school levy. For more details, go to LevyNO.com.

Ruth Brandal

Lake Stevens

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

A visitor takes in the view of Twin Lakes from a second floor unit at Housing Hope’s Twin Lakes Landing II Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Housing Hope’s ‘Stone Soup’ recipe for community

With homelessness growing among seniors, an advocate calls for support of the nonprofit’s projects.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, May 22

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Cuts to science grants threat to our health, economy

Federal funding through the National Science Foundation has provided countless benefits to our lives.

Return of salmon after dam removal proves it works

A truly inspiring article published on May 7 in The Oregonian offers… Continue reading

Cuts to scientific research cut us off from solutions

Where to start with the actions Donald Trump has taken which worry… Continue reading

Comment: The gift 747 was only one problem in Mideast trip

Along with the thinly veiled bribe, came a shift to excuse the region’s autocratic monarchies.

Goldberg: Trump-backing Christians accuse Jews of antisemitism

There’s something off about Project Esther’s tagging of American Jews as supporters of Hamas.

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Loss of research funds threat to climate resilience

The Trump administration’s end of a grant for climate research threatens solutions communities need.

Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Air Force One touches ground Friday morning at Boeing in Everett.
PHOTO SHOT 02172012
Editorial: There’s no free lunch and no free Air Force One

Qatar’s offer of a 747 to President Trump solves nothing and leaves the nation beholden.

The Washington State Legislature convenes for a joint session for a swearing-in ceremony of statewide elected officials and Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address, March 15, 2025.
Editorial: 4 bills that need a second look by state lawmakers

Even good ideas, such as these four bills, can fail to gain traction in the state Legislature.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, May 21

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Burke: Don’t let Trump & Co. get away with ‘no comment’ on outrages

For the tiring list of firings, cuts, busted norms and unconstitutional acts, hold them accountable.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.