|
 VOTE
YES FOR
MERCER ISLAND SCHOOLS ON
FEBRUARY 7TH
Submitted by Marnie Carlin MacDiarmid, Co-V.P.
Legislation and Advocacy, M.I. PTA Council
The School District will have
renewals of the General Fund and Transportation Levies on the ballot
February 7, 2006. Both are renewals of existing levies, are not
new taxes, and are critical to the continued ability of the District to
deliver a quality education to our children.
The General Fund levy represents
about 25% of the District’s annual budget. The continued low level of
state funding for basic education, increased under-funding of federal
mandates, and increased performance demands at both the state and local
levels make this levy a fundamental part of our District’s budget.
These funds help finance basic needs
including: teachers, counselors, librarians, paraprofessionals and
other staff; staff training; supplies and materials; school building
maintenance and utilities; textbooks and instructional materials; and,
student activities and athletics. This is a renewal of a critically
needed levy, not a new tax.
The Transportation Levy implements
the second phase of the District’s long-term transportation plan to
replace our aging bus fleet. It has been updated to reflect current
costs and revised state reimbursement rates, and renews our community’s
commitment to an updated and efficient bus fleet. Again, this levy is a
renewal of existing support, not a new tax.
The Committee for Mercer Island
Public Schools (CMIPS) is a volunteer community group that supports
these measures. A critical part of CMIPS’ effort to have a successful
campaign is the support and assistance of other groups, including each
school’s PTA, the Preschool Association and their members. So please
volunteer to help by contacting Stowe Sprague stowesprague@hotmail.com,
275-3660.
For more information about these
levy renewals, go to www.SchoolLevyYes.org.
Your support is critical to our
success at the polls, and, ultimately, to the success of our School
District. |
