The Jan. 27 letter, “District needs to show fiscal responsibility,” is replete with misinformation about the Edmonds School District; I’d like to set the record straight.
The current School Programs and Operations Levy that was passed by the voters in 2006 authorized a levy to be collected for the four years ending in 2010. The replacement levy on the Feb. 9 ballot is for the period 2011-2014. These local ballot measures have been allowed since our state’s admission into the union. No promise was made in 2006 that this funding would not be required after 2010.
The district has demonstrated fiscal responsibility. In the school year 2009-10 revenues were projected to decline; Superintendent Nick Brossoit and his staff had to cut their budget by an unprecedented and painful $11.5 million.
The ESD employees are compensated at levels that are competitive. The worsening financial situation caused the compensation for many of the staff to be reduced in 2009.
The writer is right about one thing; it is likely that there will not be any property tax relief any time soon. To make that possible there will need to be a significant improvement in our economy, and communities will have to step up economic development in order to broaden the tax base.
Citizens who wish to keep current with what’s going on at ESD should try to attend the superintendent’s roundtables; they’re held 12 to 1 p.m., usually the first Wednesday of each month during the school year. I’ve gotten my information by attending each of those meetings for the past four years.
Many of us have not had children in schools for decades, but when we did we were not paying the full cost of their education. Now it’s payback time! Please vote YES for Edmonds School District Proposition No. 1.
Ron Wambolt
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
