As former members of the Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors, we are united in our endorsement of the measures on the February ballot. Both Proposition 1, the Educational Programs and Operations Levy, and Proposition 2, the Technology Levy, will renew our community’s investment to support essential programs, staffing, services, and technology in our schools.

The Snoqualmie Valley has great schools and is nationally recognized for providing quality education. These measures are critical to ensuring that we maintain our strong schools.

The Educational Programs and Operations Levy will renew a levy passed by voters in 2014 that is set to expire in 2018. It represents approximately 15 percent of the district’s day-to-day operating budget. While there have been increases in state funding for schools, this funding level still falls short of what is needed to cover all the costs to sustain basic programs, operations, and current levels of staff support for students.

The Technology Levy will also renew an expiring levy and provide students and staff technology equipment, support, training, and additional learning opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). This levy is imperative since Washington State does not fully fund technology in our schools.

School districts throughout the Puget Sound region are running similar levies at this time, as they are an indispensable element of school funding. These measures are essential to maintaining our excellent schools and staff. We are fortunate our community understands this and has strongly supported our schools in past elections.

We urge you to join us in voting yes on both measures on the Feb. 13 ballot.

Marci Busby,

Rudy Edwards,

Kim Horn,

Craig Husa,

Becky Jorgensen,

Caroline Loudenback,

Tavish MacLean,

Dave Reed