For many years, the people of this Valley have supported their schools by approving levies to hire teachers, sustain educational programs, and maintain facilities. In 2006, our community also approved a levy to provide technology that our children need to be successful in the 21st century.

Next week, ballots will arrive in your mailboxes for the election to be held on Feb. 9. On that ballot will be two school levies; these levies require a 50 percent majority to pass. If they fail to pass, the consequences for the children of the Valley will be serious.

The maintenance and operations levy funds nearly 20 percent of the cost of running our schools. If this levy does not pass, teachers will be fired, class sizes will go up and academic and sports programs will be cut.

The impact will be more than three times the impact of the state budget cuts in 2009.

The state provides no funding for technology in schools. Effective teaching requires the use of current technology. If our kids are to have any chance of future success, they must be taught effectively and gain the technological skills that have become essential in today’s world.

Anyone who cares at all about the future of children in our community must vote “yes” on both these levies.

Geoff Doy

North Bend