Dear Editor,

As your regular readers will be aware, we, the members of the Tonasket School Board, are asking our voters to replace our expiring maintenance and operations levy, and to also allow us to purchase a bond to make capital improvements in our schools. We gave great thought and consideration as to what is best for our students, and keeping the needs of taxpayers very much in mind, we came to the conclusion that these measures are what are needed to strengthen the quality of education, provide space to accommodate important learning programs, and offer flexibility for future learning needs.

Strong schools keep our communities vibrant and strong. We are grateful to our community for its past support, which included providing us with beautiful facilities that we have now paid off. We are hopeful that our voters will continue their strong support. Our community members have entrusted to us their two most precious assets: their children and their hard-earned financial resources. We believe this levy and this bond are in keeping with the charge given to us to care for both.

We encourage your readers to explore our website, www.tonasket.wednet.edu, where there is a wealth of information on both measures, or to contact any of us through the district office at (509) 486-2126. We are happy to answer any questions. Ballots will arrive this week and must be postmarked by Feb. 11, 2014. These measures will require two votes. Passage of the levy may provide additional funds from the state in levy equalization monies of approximately $650,000 (as determined by legislative action). Anyone not yet registered to vote can still do so in person at the County Auditor’s office until Feb. 3.

Respectfully,

Jerry Asmussen, Catherine Stangland, Lloyd Caton, Ernesto Cerrillo,Ty Olson

Tonasket School Board