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Fellow voters, when we were growing up, other people supported our education by voting “yes” on school levies. For over seven decades I’ve watched state legislatures (first in Washington, now in Idaho) fail to adequately fund school districts, which are then forced to turn to supplemental levies. And each time the cost goes up a little, which isn’t surprising since the cost of most things keeps increasing (think groceries, gas, books, etc.) This is a replacement two-year levy. For a home assessed at $250,000, the monthly increase will be slightly less than $7.

And it is critical. This levy covers one third of the school district’s maintenance and operations budget, including all extracurricular activities. Increasing salaries for staff is a major component, essential to recruiting and retaining excellent teachers.

As a volunteer in two area elementary schools, I’ve seen that a classroom is a model of how democracy works, with students learning vital behaviors such as civility and respect for others. Public education is a cornerstone of our democratic society, valued since our country began. Please join me in voting “yes” for schools on March 12.

RAE CHARLTON

Sandpoint