I choose children first

While I can tell you the reasons why I am disappointed with the Moses Lake School District, there is something of greater focus at this time: children’s needs. Our current school levy is $4.52. In compliance with state laws, the replacement levy on the upcoming ballot will only be $1.50. We will be saving $3.02.

My children don’t go to school in this area, so why should I even vote for the $1.50? Because, it is the right thing to do. Because, when I sat on a Community Accountability Board for Juvenile Diversion, the No. 1 correlation was these children were not involved in school/extracurricular activities. We opted to invest our time and money in opportunities our school levy provides, then paying more taxes to the juvenile justice system. School levies not only help provide funding for safety, counseling, and school transportation, but also fund library, art, PE, music, extracurricular athletics, theater programs or specialized opportunities like digital learning, nursing, technology, automotives, et cetera. Children need stimulation and choices for healthy development.

School levies gift more educational programs and operations to our children. The heart of school levies are our children. Everything comes at a cost and we can either pay the costs for the $1.50 replacement levy, or we can pay the costs for juvenile justice systems. It is a common fact that children have energy and curiosity. Just like where we put our money, children need to put their energy and curiosity somewhere.

So I ask for all voters to stand with me in leadership. Let’s help keep healthy options viable for the children in our community. Please vote. Please vote yes on saving our pocketbooks and children by voting yes on this upcoming school levy.

Elisia Dalluge

Moses Lake