Once again, the Finley community has the opportunity to support the Finley School District by voting "yes" to the renewal of the maintenance and operation levy. Before we exercise this right, we should at a minimum educate ourselves as to who the players are and what is at stake.

The district is made up of administrators, educators, maintenance, transportation and support personnel, a board of directors and students. If we broaden our view to the Finley community, we find most of the players that comprise the district also comprise the greater Finley community.

What is at stake is first and foremost the students' education. The Finley community has a rich tradition of supporting the school district, and is somewhat unique in that the facilities we use to educate our children we also use to gather as a community.

Although the district has shown fiscal responsibility during a time when educational funding is under attack, the support of the community, now more than ever, is vitally important to maintain and operate these facilities.

As we contemplate our choice in this vote, please remember players and what's at stake. Go to finleysd.org for more levy information and please remember to vote by Feb. 14.

Kenton G. Cox, Finley