On Feb. 9, voters in the Coupeville School District will be asked to approve a maintenance and operations levy that is vital to the continued success of the Coupeville schools. The district has already had to trim its budget in response to the state’s budget crisis. They will have to make even more cuts this coming year as the state continues to reduce funding wherever it can.

It would be a disaster if, in addition to the loss of state funds, the district loses its local levy funding as well. This levy just continues the funding that has been in place in Coupeville for decades. It amounts to roughly 17 percent of the general district budget. The district is not asking for new money, but merely for voters to continue this vital portion of the school budget.

If this levy does not pass on Feb. 9, the district will have to cut approximately another 17 percent. Just imagine what that would look like — one teacher out of six, one secretary out of six, one maintenance person out of six, one coach out of six, almost 20 percent less for heat, electricity, water, and supplies.

This levy is an investment in the youth of Coupeville that we voters are asked to make every four years. Now is not the time to stop investing in those things that will pay big dividends in the future. Please join us in voting for the levy to make a better future for Coupeville students, because the better future they have, the better future we all have.

Chic Merwine

Glenda Merwine

Coupeville