Letters to the editor

The following are letters to the editor that appeared in the Feb. 3 print edition of The Herald. To submit a letter, e-mail editor@puyallupherald.com. Please keep letters submissions to 250 words.

Levy should be separated for administration athletics and most important, teachers

With election day around the corner, the Puyallup School District has children standing on the street corners holding signs asking for our support. Of main concern, in my opinion, is the pay cuts that teachers will take if the levy does not pass.

Where does the real interest come from? Is it that the Puyallup School District would not have a football, basketball, soccer or wrestling teams? It is very interesting that the two years my child has been in an athletic activity with the district that once we have seen any administration at a tournament, the vice principal from Puyallup High.

This weekend, the girls bowling teams for all three high school made it to districts. To my surprise, or not, there was not one supporter from the school district administration. Was it the $7 entrance fee that they could not afford? I highly doubt it.

All three Puyallup schools moved on to state competition. What other sport in our district has represented Puyallup schools like that? None.

Is it because the administration does not see bowling as a sport or is it the fact that it is a girls team and bowling?

What a shame. I am truly disappointed at the actions they have taken. Let’s see what happens at state.

I wish we could separate our levy for administration and sports and then the most important, teachers, and all the other items that are really required to make our children successful.

Jennifer Binam, Edgewood

With severe cutbacks from state, voting ‘Yes’ on replacement levy is more important

My wife April and I moved to Sumner in 1994. Since that time, the fine residents of Sumner and Bonney Lake have always voted yes for the school and maintenance levy for the Sumner School District. What we have been rewarded with is a top-notch education for our children plus an array of award-winning programs such as band and FFA to name just a few.

Good schools have also made for a great community. We know that families move to Sumner and Bonney Lake just to be in the Sumner School District and that is reflected in property values higher than most of our neighboring communities. The vast number of programs throughout the district keep our young people involved and engaged in many excellent activities. These are all great things for our community if you have a child in school or not.

This levy is up for renewal again and I ask that you please vote yes once again.

I know that we live in uncertain economic times now but this levy is replacing the current levy and is not adding a new tax.

This levy makes up nearly 20 percent of the district’s annual budget. With severe cutbacks from the state this past year regarding education dollars, your yes vote is more important than ever for our kids and community.

The levy covers teachers and paraeducator salaries, textbooks and basic teaching materials; student transportation, school safety personnel and many other essentials.

Please join Citizens for Education in voting yes!

Mark Evers, Citizens for Education co-chair