Please, check your mail for your primary ballot and vote Yes for the school levy. Ballots are due by Aug 7.

The Enrichment Levy will not increase taxes but will raise funds for our school district to provide programs that enhance the lives and learning of our island children. Art, music and drama; the garden program; services for students with special needs; and the school nurse program are dependent on this funding. The levy also covers basic support for staff development and basic utilities.

I was lucky to work for several years as the school nurse and know first-hand the value of on-site health services for emergencies and basic health education and care.

These programs are not funded by state money. It is up to us to step in, understanding that our children benefit greatly from these programs, and that when they benefit, so do we.

Kai Sanburn

Lopez Island