Port Angeles voters should approve the upcoming capital projects levy to meet state mandates on lower classroom sizes without burdening the community with debt.
Whereas bonds come with decades of debt burden (like a mortgage), a capital projects levy raises just enough money for the project at hand (like paying with cash).
It’s a smart move.
These funds will be used to maintain and expand (but not rebuild) Stevens Middle School so that sixth graders can go to Stevens like other districts — such as Sequim — which have middle school grades 6-8.
In turn, each of the five Port Angeles elementary schools will lower their class sizes for better learning in K-5 classrooms.
The levy will cost about half of what the district asked to rebuild the high school and carries no interest.
It is frustrating that the McCleary decision will not provide one penny towards facilities.
McCleary only funds the cost of basic education, but does not address the cost of renovating, maintaining or rebuilding schools.
It is up to the community to maintain our own facilities. Port Angeles schools are well cared for, but having been built in the 1950s and 1960s, they need our help.
This measure will do so much with Port Angeles’ precious tax dollars. It is well considered and a model for the region.
Virginia Shogren,
Sequim