In the upcoming Feb. 9 elections, the Snoqualmie Valley School District will be asking for voter approval on two local levy measures, a maintenance and operations levy and a replacement technology levy. I encourage you to vote “yes” on both levies.

The current state budget deficit crisis has become severe; in fact, the state treasurer has stated that the state will be “cash broke” by this September. During this legislative session, it is very likely that additional non-basic education funding to our K-12 schools will again be significantly cut. The final mix of spending cuts and possible tax increases is unknown at this time. Approving these local school support levies will provide an essential safety net in these challenging economic circumstances regardless of what economy does (or doesn’t do) or how the final budget deficit is addressed.

Given the current economic uncertainty, the proposed Snoqualmie Valley School District levies are conservative and sensitive to the realities of needing to make every dollar count. The M&O levy accounts for 18 percent of the district’s operating budget. The technology levy provides our kids with the essential learning tools and skills for today’s tough competitive job market.

The Snoqualmie Valley School District is one of the best performing school districts in the state for the money invested, an investment that gives our children their future. An excellent, well-funded school district provides significant benefits to our community. Our children are prepared for the competitive future that awaits them and our real estate property values hold their worth in turbulent times.

Your “yes” vote will make a big difference when it really matters, when our kids’ education future really is on the line.

Glenn Anderson

State Representative, Fifth Legislative District