In this 19-minute podcast conversation, two Bainbridge women who are parents of local public school students explain their confidence in the importance of public education on our island, and why they support the two levies on the February 14th ballot that provide more than one-fifth (22%) of our local school budget.
Erin Cyger and Anna Steen are two of the many volunteers serving in the Bainbridge Island Public Schools Supporters organization. They explain why they’re voting “Yes” for each of the two levies that fund our local schools: the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Technology Levy.
They point out that the levies are not new taxes. Instead, “yes” votes for levies this month would replace two school revenue sources approved by local voters three years ago, and which are set to expire this year.
They distinguish this year’s education levy from last year’s school bond request that voters approved, by saying: “Bonds buy bricks; levies are for learning.” And they urge that the levies provide essential funding to attract and retain excellent professional educators, in a state where the Supreme Court has ruled that the legislature has not fully met the State Constitutional mandate to adequately fund public K-12 education.
They describe the educational needs that would be funded by each of the levies, such as basic instructional programs, compensation and benefits for teachers, and technology for teachers and students.
They explain that we Bainbridge voters have received our ballots in the mail, and they urge local voters to submit their ballots not later than the February 14th (Valentines Day) deadline.
Credits: BCB host, audio editor and social media publisher: Barry Peters.