If you list all of the essentials that are needed to provide a quality education, community levy support would have to be at the top of the list since most of the essentials require funding.

The Coupeville School District’s Maintenance and Operations Levy funds 20 percent of our school district’s operating budget. Every four years community members must approve a renewal of the levy to maintain staff members, classroom materials and programs that students depend on.

Along with the M&O levy the district is requesting funds to update aging computers, software and the telephone system at the elementary school. The Technology Levy would add 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Coupeville’s levy rate is the third lowest of the levy amounts collected in 23 school districts in Island, Skagit and Snohomish counties. When the cost of both of these levies are added together the district will still have the third lowest rate in the region.

I want to thank everyone who has voted yes to support the M&O levy in the past and ask that you join me in voting yes for both levies so that students who attend Coupeville Schools can continue to receive a quality education.

Margie Parker

Coupeville