Letter: Vote ‘yes’ for Pasco school levy by Feb. 9

Voters are being asked to support a replacement school levy, which will underwrite 19 percent of the Pasco School District’s basic education programs.

If approved, the levy will provide $24 million in year 2017 and $25 million in 2018 to fund programs not covered by the state. 65 percent of the levy money will pay for teachers, principals and other key staff. 27 percent will pay for critical support services such as maintenance, security and student transportation. The remaining 8 percent will cover student activities and athletic programs.

The state will kick in $15 million in levy equalization funds, but only if voters approve the levy. In this day of uncertainty of the state’s ability to fully fund education, we as a community have no choice but to ensure that our Pasco schools have the needed resources to provide a quality education.

I urge all Pasco voters to vote yes on the levy by Feb. 9.

This story was originally published January 23, 2016 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Letter: Vote ‘yes’ for Pasco school levy by Feb. 9."