This week, registered voters in our community will be receiving ballots for the Feb. 13 election. The ballot will include two school district levy propositions, which are needed to replace four-year levies approved by the voters back in 2014, that are set to expire in 2018.

The levies appearing on the ballot include a four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy and a four-year Technology Levy. School districts throughout the region are also proposing replacement levies of a similar nature on ballots in their respective communities.

School districts in Washington State, including ours, rely upon local levies to cover the difference between what the state funds for education, and the actual costs for student programs, staffing, day-to-day operations, and technology. These levies also provide for future improvements to programming and technology for students, while sustaining funding for existing programs, support staff, and services that are not funded, or only partially funded by the state.

Levy funds are an indispensable part of our school district’s operating budget. While the state is providing additional funding for schools, specifically designated for employee compensation and to reduce class size, the EP&O Levy and the Technology Levy are still necessary.

In fact, these levies will provide approximately 20 percent of the funds needed to sustain programming, services, staffing, technology, and improvement efforts in our schools. These levies will also ensure our district has a consistent source of funding for the next four years to operate our schools and provide the type of educational experience essential for our students and their futures.

The quality of our schools is central to the health, economy, reputation, and future of our community. Most importantly, these propositions will sustain a significant portion of the funding necessary to ensure our students are fully prepared for college, careers, and citizenship.

We sincerely appreciate the support this community provides its schools. Over the years, that support has helped make Snoqualmie Valley one of the finest school districts in the state of Washington. With your continued support, we will be poised to further strengthen our schools, benefiting both the community and the children and young people who attend them.

For more information on the levy propositions, visit the school district website at www.svsd410.org or contact the Snoqualmie Valley School District at (425) 831-8000.