I strongly encourage voters to vote yes on Ballot Proposition 1 to improve Stevens Middle School.
Having attended multiple Port Angeles School Board meetings and work sessions, I feel confident that this plan is sound; it balances our district’s overall facility needs, it is part of a thoughtful long-term plan and it is financially prudent.
By improving and expanding Stevens to accommodate an extra grade level, every elementary school in the district will gain more space for the goal of reducing class sizes, ensuring compliance with the recent statewide Initiative 1351.
Most importantly, this would result in a far safer facility, with seismic improvements, ADA compliance, streamlined pickup/dropoff and bus lanes, and more.
Our children deserve facilities that match the excellence of the teachers and programs of our school district.
Vote “yes” for schools.
Mike French,
Port Angeles
Editor’s note: French is a Port Angeles City Council member.