I join with many local business leaders, small business owners, citizens, families, teachers and school staff as enthusiastic supporters of the two levies on the Feb. 9 ballot for Renton Schools. Teachers and school staff are working hard to provide a world-class education for our children, which means a brighter future for our communities and our region.

I believe that the Renton School District is an outstanding, fiscally responsible organization, a regional leader in teaching and learning, and staffed with some incredible people who make a difference for everyone’s children.

Our community’s support for local schools through these two levies provide important funding to contribute to so many vital programs and materials that directly benefit all children in our schools. This funding supports quality programs such as music, art, drama, athletics, the arts, robotics, and a variety of technology to accelerate a student’s learning. It also supports our buildings, classrooms, and school buses. These are all critical to educating the whole child.

Honestly, I don’t know how we could accomplish the tremendous learning we provide without this much-needed funding.

Each day our teachers, specialists, and para-educators work with students to help them reach high standards. As a result, our students are closing the achievement gap, extending their learning, and are ready to make enormous contributions to our community, our region and our nation.

Best of all, we can provide all of this without increase our personal tax rates. The levies simply continue the current rate we are paying.

I voted YES and I hope you will join me in voting YES for both measures by Feb. 9. It could come down to YOUR vote! Your vote truly matters.

Kandy Schendel,
Parent, business owner, Renton PTSA Council president and Hazen PTSA president