We have an important challenge coming up on Feb. 10 as a School District and we need to dig deep, put aside judgements about perceived errors of the district leadership or board, and support students. It’s about the students of the next 4-6 years having the basic programs, services and activities they are used to and deserve.

The 4-year Operations Levy and the every 6-year Technology Levy, happen to fall in the same election cycle this year. They represent roughly 16% of the total budget! It’s a tough ask of the community. But the key is to remember they are replacement levies. Go to the district website for details or call the district with your questions about the levies – please don’t vote without getting the answers you need.

Sometimes taxes are tough to swallow, but in this case, you are getting so much bang for your dollar even if you don’t have students in schools! You are assuring your own best future as we provide together to assure the best future for students. Your property values and your social security benefits are a couple of personal reasons we all should support the district. When our district does well and our students succeed, we all benefit.

You expected me to say those things, but here is an important consideration you may not have thought of…..

The board is entering a very serious and time-consuming effort to hire a new Superintendent. You can bet qualified candidates are watching this election carefully, given our recent past elections. Highly qualified candidates do not want to apply to be Superintendent in a district that is failing ordinary renewal levies. Our voter turnout hangs around 38%-46%, meaning the majority of folks don’t bother to vote. In other words, the lack of voter turnout means a minority of voters are making the decision – not the majority!

I can assure you, highly qualified candidates are right now checking out the temperament of the district by looking at past letters to the editor, social media posts and the like. If we look and sound hopelessly divided, with people carrying and repeating grievances from the past like a weapon, then the best candidates will steer away. You can’t blame them. Districts that repeatedly fail their renewal levies are not districts you want for your children or our communities.

We must rally all voters to support these Replacement Levies. We need high voter turnout and a strong “yes” response to give potential superintendent applicants reason to hope there is a chance this community will pull together, look past former grievances and support students.

Vote Yes!

Nancy Merrill

Enumclaw