Every four years Vashon voters are asked to renew the Vashon Island School District’s “Program and Operations Levy” to ensure that our school programs and services continue to be among the best offered in our state.  This year’s renewal is as crucial to our schools as any past levy has been.

While the Washington State Supreme Court has mandated in its McCleary decision that the Legislature fully fund basic education in our state, the Legislature’s new funding model remains a “work in progress” that only begins to pay the costs of the State’s definition of “basic education”.  However, the legislation fell short of meeting the Court’s requirement and leaves our district extremely dependent upon continuing levy support to deliver the quality of education our community demands.

Our levy represents 19.9% of our total general fund budget and makes it possible to go beyond “basic” to support teachers with high quality training, ensure special needs students receive effective support, provide for additional counselors and para-professionals, and support options such as AP courses, music, art and enrichment.  These enhancements ensure a stable teaching force with the tools needed to deliver outstanding instruction.

Please vote yes to ensure the future of our children!

Vashon Island hasn't failed a school levy in over 40 years.  In the last four decades the school district  has lavished its self with enrichment.   The schools have the people and money to run big campaigns.

The build-up of the schools has had serious growth consequences in the last few years.  More families moving to vashon bid-up real estate prices and lengthen ferry lines.  How will cramming Vashon with more people do the children any good?

Why must home owners be burdened with the tax?  If the school district proposed a co-pay for enrolling children in the school, say 10% of the per student schooling cost,  I would say 'yes' to that levy.  As long as parents can enroll as many children as they please, free-of-charge, there is little incentive to prevent the next pregnancy.

No one should feel shame for voting against the school levy.  It’s simply unfair.  Parents should own-up and pay for any funding above the State minimum.   As long as levies pass, school districts will have no incentive to find alternative funding.

Don't forget to vote No.  You're lucky you still have the right.

VISD has successfully passed levies over the past 40 years because it has kept its promise to our island community to use levy funds to “go beyond basic” by providing outstanding learning and extra-curricular programs to our students.   Our students thrive in rigorous academic programs and arts, music, theater, athletics, technology, and other local levy funded opportunities. Our children are our future.  Our schools are at the heart of our community.  Please renew the levy.

Submitted by: Anne Atwell, Tami Brockway Joyce, Kevin Joyce annehatwell@gmail.com

Vashon doesn't need the best school in the state.  The push to have it, is a display of  arrogance.   15 years ago a few people decided to get more money to move here.  It certainly has and we all have to pay.  The super school has been the most powerful driver of such growth.  If you're concerned about future affordability: Your No vote is critical.  Remember takes 50%.

Submitted by: Jeff Schnelz rjschnelz@yahoo.com

Complete text of measure

Simple majority (Wash. Const. art. VII, sec. 2(a))

For questions about this measure, contact: Jodi Burwell, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent 206-463-8534, jburwell@vashonsd.org