I recently asked for financial records of the Pasco School District to help me better understand the need for a replacing the tax levy. The records were promptly provided. I subsequently had the opportunity to hear Superintendent Saundra Hill very professionally and substantively address the levy need. I want to commend her on her presentation and response to my questions, questions that I might add were not very supportive.

Yes, the school district needs the money. Could it get along without it? Probably not, considering the unfunded mandates imposed by federal and state bureaucracies. However, what became increasingly clear is that the outstanding professional staff, part-time employees and volunteers are being overwhelmed by the dictates of the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the federal Department of Education.

Social engineering is the mantra of those far away agencies that want us to believe they know what is best for Pasco and bully our superintendent into compliance by their use of federal and state financial policies.

Pasco would do just fine without them. We've got the professional team to make it happen. Washington, D.C., and Olympia can just leave us alone.

John Talbott, Pasco