There has been much negative media attention placed on the public school system recently. Admittedly, there are problems within the school system, but if we want to improve our schools, we need a collective adjustment in our values.
Over the past several years, Washington’s public schools have suffered enormous cuts. We have seen class sizes swell, student programs slashed, the number of librarians reduced, countless quality young teachers laid off, along with many more cutbacks. Currently, Washington’s student-to-teacher ratio is among the worst in the nation.
Many voters may not know this, but public schools (this includes your neighborhood school) are largely funded by revenue collected from state taxes. The decision to repeal the candy tax (Initiative 1107), as well as turning down Initiative 1098 (this one would have actually lowered taxes for most Washingtonians) will have long-term and devastating effects on every public school student in the state.
On Election Day, Washingtonians sent a clear message: We care more about saving a few pennies on nonessential food items than we do about our children’s future. If we want better schools in this state, the voters need to change their values and place education higher than candy. We cannot expect more and better services while paying less. It simply does not work that way.
The ideals voters displayed on Tuesday are nothing short of appalling. We need to adjust our values and provide public schools with the funding they need for the sake of every child in the state.
Jason Aillaud
Everett
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