Letter to the Editor School levies help fill gaps created by insufficient state and federal funding

Public schools are facing a $10 million funding shortfall for the SSD, primarily due to rising operational costs and inadequate state and federal support. Numerous external audits have failed to reveal any significant financial mismanagement, indicating that the challenges stem from systemic underfunding. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for qualified school staff has increased, yet cuts to staffing are the last resort in budget management. School districts heavily rely on levy dollars to meet basic operational expenses and fill funding gaps. Many families may find alternative education options impractical due to financial constraints, as private schools are not required to accommodate all students' individual needs.

The article emphasizes that every child deserves access to quality education and well-resourced classrooms. To address these issues, voters are urged to support SSD No. 412 Proposition No. 1 by August 5th. The outcome of this vote could significantly impact educational standards and opportunities for children in the community.