LETTERS: Supports the proposed capital levy for the Port Angeles School District

Schools an embarrassment

I graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1991.

I watched the first McDonald’s being built, and the first Wal-Mart.

They have both been replaced with new buildings.

We replaced the old library, and built a beautiful new senior center just up the street from the old one.

When I was in school the cop shop and city hall were on Front and Oak.

They have since moved into modern new buildings.

But the schools I attended, Franklin, Roosevelt, and PAHS, haven’t changed.

When I was a kindergartner, Franklin was already 25 years old.

When I graduated, PAHS was 38 years old.

Today these buildings are 66 and 67 years old.

I have been back to these buildings many times over the years and I have seen first-hand how well they have been maintained.

But let’s face it, the buildings are worn out, they’re inefficient and ineffective, and they’re no longer safe.

This is an embarrassment to our community.

Twice now we have failed to pass funding measures to build new schools and it has damaged our community.

We are losing families who are passionate about education to communities that support their schools.

We are losing educators and administrators to districts that have a brighter future.

We can’t recruit medical providers to take care of our growing elderly population because they wouldn’t even consider enrolling their children in our crumbling schools.

We need to turn this around now.

Please vote yes to pass the capital levy on Feb. 11.

Todd Ritchie

Port Angeles