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Our kids are the future for our families and our community. They deserve the best public education we can provide and afford. Idaho currently lags behind all our surrounding states and most of the country in public resources dedicated to K-12 and university education. The average wages across our state are in the bottom tenth of all the states. Future generations of Idahoans are leaving the state to find good work at a fair wage. An educated work force attracts successful businesses and retains a qualified workforce. We are putting minimum state funds into education and getting mediocre results. Idaho needs to do more. We must train and support great teachers, replace crumbling facilities, adopt new curriculums, and provide technology in the classroom.

Gov. Butch Otter convened an education task force in 2012. The task force carefully studied our schools and education programs in Idaho. The task force made a series of recommendations to put our state on track to graduate 90 percent of our high school students and send 60 percent of our high school graduates to college or trade school. These goals are attainable. We are making progress toward the goals but have work to do. Brad Little, candidate for governor; Jim Woodward candidate for state senate, and Mike Boeck, candidate for state representative have committed to supporting education, providing the resources and leadership to keep our state on track to meet the education goals. Support our kids and vote Little, Woodward, and Boeck.

GARY SUPPIGER

Cocolalla