Prosperity and pride or decay and decline? That is the choice facing voters on the Sequim School District levy and bond ballot.
After nearly three decades of failed school bonds, our children have been left learning in buildings contaminated by asbestos and which are one critical failure away from being non-operational.
Our students will need to be employable in a modern economy, yet we are putting them in classrooms that can’t house current technology because of an outdated electrical system.
We are all too well aware of the safety risks our kids take just by attending school, yet our campuses have multiple entry points.
Our students hone life and career skills through extracurricular and support programs, yet 600 students are at risk of losing those opportunities.
But this isn’t just about the kids, this is about all of us.
Better schools will attract more health care professionals and develop a well-qualified workforce to staff local businesses.
We will be able to raise our own, homegrown leaders to guide our local government and economy.
Doing this now, at less than $23 per month for the average homeowner, is the cheapest solution because SSD will be able to secure construction costs before rates go up and building new costs less than constantly putting Band-Aids on things that can’t be repaired.
No one wants higher taxes. But can we, and our children, really afford the alternative?
Vote yes and approve on Feb. 11 to invest in our children, our future and our city.
Hayley Anderson
Sequim