Student’s Letter In Support Of Levy Inadvertently Omitted Before The Election But Still Well Worth Reading
Editor’s Note:
The letter below is in support of the School Levy. Unfortunately it was caught by an e-mail spam filter and was not found in time to be published prior to the election, although we were able to post it on our website. However, given that it represents the viewpoint of the students, we feel it is important to publish this highly articulate, well thought out opinion. Our sincere apologies to Matt Vanderlip and all Lakeside High School students for this error.
Dear local voters,
As many of you know, ballots for the replacement of the expiring Educational Programs, Maintenance & Operations levy recently went out to the community. NOTICE: This is NOT a new tax--- the levy already exists, but it will expire in December of 2012. As registered voters, your consideration will not only determine the levy’s renewal, but also the Nine Mile Falls School District’s future success and the community’s well-being in general. Granted, it may be difficult to understand the levy’s implications---such as reasonable class sizes---without actually sitting in the classroom; with this in view, we, the students, want to offer you our point of view.
Take a typical day at Lakeside High School. Students eagerly run to their perfect classrooms, crack open brand new textbooks or log on to shiny new computers, and soak in fifty minutes of pure knowledge, right? Actually, after weaving through traffic in the halls, students usually find themselves looking at a full classroom, with a set of textbooks sometimes dating back to the 90’s and a handful of decent computers (depending on the class). In a few larger classes, students make due with a stretch of counter for a desk, but overall, class sizes are reasonable. Fast-forward to the end of the day. Most students participate in a growing variety of clubs and/or athletics, be it jazz band or baseball. All in all, a fairly average, ordinary day at Lakeside High.
Now, how might that same school day change if the levy expires and the State continues to cut funding? In other words, what does a minimal school day look like? Bigger classes? Definitely. Fewer teachers and staff members? Yep. More students looking for something to do after school because their club can no longer afford to operate? Not only that, but all athletic programs will experience drastic cuts as well (the entire athletic department already suffered a 50% loss of district-allocated funds this year). Plus, AP classes, electives (i.e. advanced fitness or art classes), and other academic programs will undoubtedly suffer losses. Many of these classes prepare students for college and the real world more than any other alternative. Taken in full, it’s a radical step down from the average school day.
More than anything else, the decision to renew the district levy comes down to priorities. Clearly, the huge potential impact of an expired levy makes renewal and replacement well worth it. So, as students from Lakeside High School, we are crying out for you to cast your votes wisely, to support our education, and to invest in our community by voting yes on the school district’s Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations levy. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Matt Vanderlip
Lakeside High School ASB Public Relations