I have good news for those who voted for the defeated measure 1098 establishing a state income tax. Now you have an even better way to make sure there is money for the schools. It doesn’t involve the government at all. You don’t need the middle man who takes their cut every step along the way. Believe it or not you as a concerned individual can write a check of any size and deliver it to the school of your choice.

You can even tell them you want it to go to text books or you can buy the text books and gift them to the school. Or any other project you may wish. Now I haven’t read the tax laws for several years, but as I remember, a financial gift to a public school is a tax deductible charitable contribution. Ask your tax adviser for updates.

There is no doubt that the schools could use the help. I know teachers who supply a lot of stuff out of pocket for their class rooms. You can be assured exactly where the money is going if you leave the government out of the whole thing. Don’t tell the state though, they will just divert more of the money earmarked for our children to stupid studies or projects they can name after themselves. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sharyn Mellors, CPA (retired)

Coupeville