Snoqualmie Valley has a great track record of supporting children with the passage of each bond or levy request. Feb. 5 marks another request by the district to support its efforts, as it is asking for $25.4 to go toward maintenance and operations over the next four years and another $1 million to buy new buses.

Our school district has come a long way from the days of slide rules and debates about allowing calculators in the classrooms. The products of today’s Snoqualmie Valley School District are well-rounded adults, capable of contributing to society.

I have long been an advocate of our school system and believe our support has contributed greatly to the quality of life in the Valley. Yes, occasionally there are problems, whether with busing, classroom loads or curriculum issues, but if looked at in their entirety they are minuscule.

Looking at the facts, the district is asking for a substantial amount of money. The funds will go for textbooks, staff, school activities, etc. The amount requested represents 19 percent of the operating budget. So for 2002, the cost to each household in the district is $1.68 per $1,000 dollars of assessed value. For a home that is assessed in the $250,000 range, the cost is $420. In 2003, the assumption is that your assessed value will rise 6 percent. So your house is now worth $265,000 and the amount you would pay is $445.20 for that year. With the addition of the bus levy of 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, the actual amount will rise slightly. As assessed value increases, the amount per thousand of assessed value goes down.

Schools are an essential investment in this community and to the future of the Valley. Please vote “yes” on Feb. 5.