Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

The Dayton School District is putting forth two tax levy measures, an Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) and a Capital Levy, on Election Day Tuesday, February 13. Both are replacement levies. The prior levies were voted in 2020 and are now expiring. These are not new taxes. Both levies would run for four years, to be collected in 2025-2028.

I am sure none of us enjoy paying taxes, however there are several issues I am rationally considering, and I encourage other voters to also consider, as we cast our votes:

1) Are the tax levies for the Dayton School District too high? According to the 2022 tax rates for regional School Districts in Southeastern Washington, Dayton has the lowest rate. Eleven neighboring School Districts have tax rates varying from $4.30 to $2.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Dayton's tax rate is currently only $1.59!! We are at the bottom of the list! With the proposed levies the rate would be $2.96, still lower than many of the other Districts. We have not financially supported our school district for numerous years. We have "kicked the levy can down the road" for far too long. Let's face the fact that we need to financially support our local school district to maintain and improve educational services for our children.

2) What are the projects and improvements needing funding? Many of the school facilities are in major need to be remodeled, maintained, or even replaced. They have lived past their expected life expectancy and need to be upgraded. An example is the recent failure of the heating system during the freezing weather. In our current society, the safety and security of our students and teachers is a major concern. Our kids need a secure, healthy environment to pursue their education.

3) Do we value our School District as we consider the economic welfare of our community? As we have experienced over the past couple years, there is a significant value in maintaining our schools to have a vibrant community. Just as it is important to have thriving retail businesses, quality health care facilities, and local governmental services, it is vitally important to have a quality school system. If we want our community to develop, to grow and to attract new citizens, we must support our School District.

These are a few of the items that I ponder when considering my vote for the Dayton School levies. I would encourage all citizens to do the same. My children were former Dayton students. My grand-daughter is currently a Dayton student. I desire a quality educational experience for her and her friends. As a local citizen, it is my personal responsibility to support the education of the youth of our community.

We all need to realize that if we value the continuation of quality local services in our community, it comes with a cost--usually taxes. This is our opportunity to make an investment in the future of our youth and our wonderful community.

Please join me by proudly voting YES for Dayton School District levies on February 13.

Gary Schroeder

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Please Support Dayton Schools.

Four generations of my family have attended Dayton Schools and received a solid education here. I want to ensure that the children in our community continue to have the same opportunity for a quality, well-rounded education. That is why I am supporting the upcoming levy for Dayton Schools.

The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy will support Career & Technical Education (CTE), vocational programs, athletics, extra-curricular activities, food services, transportation, and more. The Capital levy will allow for technology upgrades and building improvements, including an auditorium update, gym roof replacement, and elementary security gate replacement to name a few projects. Both the EP&O and Capital levies are critical to our children's overall positive and productive educational experience.

Having been a teacher for over 30 years, I understand the importance of a community making education a priority and supporting its local schools. I recognize the effort Dayton's staff makes every day as they strive to provide the best learning environment for all students. Please join Jay and me in supporting their important mission, and vote YES to invest in our schools, our community, and our future.

Kris and Jay Takemura

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

I am writing to ask Columbia County voters to vote yes for both proposed Dayton School District Levies in the February 13, 2024, election.

The Education Programs and Operation (EP&O) levy request is similar in value to the EP&O levy passed in 2020. EP&O money is used to make up the difference between money provided by the State vs. what it costs to pay for student programs and services i.e. vocational programs, athletics, transportation etc.

The Capital Levy request is considerably more than the amounts requested in the past levies. Capital levy money is used to fund brick-and-mortar type projects i.e. gym roof, ag shop doors etc.

I am financially conservative. I do not want to see a tax increase any more than you do but the reality is that our aging school buildings need to be maintained and upgraded if they are going to last into the future.

I talked to Superintendent Rich Stewart this morning, (as school was closed due to a boiler failure) he said that the current boiler was installed in 1954. Sounds like it might be time for a new one. Rich also said that it will cost $500,000 to replace the roof on the gymnasium. I bet if it is put off a few more years it will cost even more money.

Don't let our school end up like our pool! Please vote yes for both levies.

David McKinley

Dayton, Wash.