As a concerned parent of three and citizen of Marysville, I ask you to join me by voting yes on Feb. 14 to reinstate the Marysville School District Educational Programs and Operations levy. Levy funds are critical to the success of our students, providing necessary support to many areas directly tied to student learning. This levy supports learning needs for our students that are not covered by state funds. Levy funds help pay for teachers, which helps maintain smaller class sizes. Funding also pays for critical support staff, which are necessary to provide needed social and emotional services as well as help recover from the learning loss resulting from the covid-19 shutdown.
Levy funds also support many student programs and activities such as the arts (band, choir, drama), student athletics, technology and extra-curricular clubs. For many students, these opportunities are their strongest motivation for maintaining strong attendance and good grades. Through watching my own children and their friends, I have seen the strong social connections they have made and how these activities have helped shaped their future career interests and hobbies.
The levy on February’s ballot is a reinstatement levy, it is not a new tax. In fact, the proposed levy is less than the expired measure. This levy would run for four years, beginning in 2024, at a rate of approximately $1.67 per $1,000 of assessed home value, which is 68 cents less per $1,000 than the expired levy.
As a member of your city council, I know how important strong schools are for attracting businesses and families to our community. As a school district employee, I have the opportunity to work closely with some of our youngest citizens and see their diverse interests and needs and the gaps that occur when funding is not available. While I cannot promote the levy while on the city council dais or during my working hours, as a parent and citizen I urge you to vote yes for our kids and our community on Feb. 14. For more information, please go to www.bestschoolsmarysville.org.
Kelly Richards
Marysville
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