Letter | Support for sixth elementary

Published 5:17 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2015

I have two kids who attend North Bend Elementary. It is an amazing school. We have great teachers and administrators, and my girls have learned a lot there.

I support Proposition 1,  the comprehensive neighborhood schools measure that addresses our long-term school facility needs, for the following reasons:

A sixth elementary reduces busing for all elementary students in the district and gets all of them closer to home by 2016. My kids currently are bused 30 minutes each way to school, resulting in time lost, increased emissions, and funds used by the district for busing instead of education.

A sixth elementary increases connectivity to the school. Schools are gathering places where we experience a sense of belonging and community. Our elementary has many events to encourage this dynamic,  the book fair, Doughnuts for Dads, as well as daily opportunities to volunteer in the classroom. However, the distance between our neighborhood and the school sometimes prevents our family from fully engaging in those activities.

A sixth elementary reduces crowding at all five district elementary schools. Currently, students are bused to each of the five schools. While the schools are able to accommodate additional students by adding portable classrooms and teachers, it still puts strains on the common areas like libraries, playgrounds, and computer labs.

A comprehensive funding package allows the district to address capacity needs from Kindergarten through high school.

A comprehensive funding package provides district-wide facility improvements to accommodate education in science, technology, music, and drama.

I support Proposition 1 because I believe it is good for our communities and good for our kids.

Jennifer Bassett-Hales

Snoqualmie