My daughter started kindergarten this year in Pasco. I am amazed at how her school operates, ensuring all students are cared for and protected each day, especially knowing that the enrollment at her school is nearly double its intended capacity.

The school was built in the 1980s for 500 students. Currently, the enrollment is more than 900. To accommodate the 400+ additional students, the school has had to make some major adjustments. These adjustments include conducting lunches in shifts from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day, dividing the student body in half for all assemblies unable to host all students together at once (no space is larger enough), and the playground area has been significantly diminished to add the necessary portables for additional classroom space.

This year's Pasco School Bond has a proposed debt amount of $46.8 million. The estimated rate for taxpayers is $34 per year for property assessed at a value of $100,000. Even, if your property is estimated to be worth double that amount, your monthly rate will be less than the cost of one latte a month.

Support schools ... vote yes on Feb. 12!

KRISTIN EBY, Pasco