Take action against more cuts | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 8:21 am Thursday, December 1, 2011

To the editor:

Washington schools have ranked among the nation’s best for decades. Our state’s SAT scores continue to rank in the top 10 among states where more than 50 percent of the students take the college preparatory exam.

But that could soon change. Our schools are already dealing with more than $2.5 billion in recent school funding cuts.

Now lawmakers have proposed slashing an additional $1 billion or more. This would tie the hands of teachers and other education professionals and deprive students of a quality education.

Our schools and students have already absorbed more than their fair share of cuts. Additional education funding reductions could mean layoffs of up to 2,400 educators, increased class sizes, less individualized attention for students and slashed funding for pre-school, higher education and all-day kindergarten. Plus, a proposed $150 million reduction in school levy equalization would result in an inequitable system of educational winners and losers; rich school districts and poor school districts.

Enough is enough. Together, we can send a strong message to lawmakers that it’s time to protect school funding to give our students the well-rounded education they deserve.

Please contact your legislators and tell them to respect Washington’s long-standing commitment to education and vote against further funding cuts to education.

VALERIE BROWN AND JAN MCNEELY

Co-Presidents

South Whidbey Education Association