Time to vote

With the talk of state budget deficits and federal spending, schools are nervous.

Budget cuts are being bandied about at the state level and some are talking about cutting funding for schools. With Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Legislature looking to fill the coffers to cover a $2.6 billion deficit, it could mean we could lose teachers and critical programs in Columbia Basin schools.

A few school districts are asking for voters to support them and lessen any potential impact by continuing maintenance and operations levies.

Ballots were mailed to voters living the Coulee-Hartline, Othello, Warden and Wilson Creek school districts last week and are due Feb. 9.

To be blunt, vote for the school districts. They need it.

Our children deserve the best education we can provide.

The amounts are nearly the same as current rates.

The programs covered by the levies are important. In Warden 9 percent of district budget comes from the levy, with another 9 percent coming from the state through committed funding.

“This is a replacement levy and is vital to run our schools well,” said Warden School District Superintendent Sandra Sheldon. “It covers the costs of supplies, materials, some teaching staff, some athletics and extracurricular activities … if this doesn’t get passed, we lose 18 percent of our local funds.”

The levy in Othello covers technology used to educate students and maintenance of school facilities, grounds, equipment and vehicles.

With cuts looming, the schools are going to need support now more than ever.

Please vote yes for our school levies and our kids.

— Editorial board