Renton schools raise bar, deserve community support | John Galluzzo

As a local business owner and 2011 past chairman of the Renton Chamber of Commerce, I understand the importance that a quality education system has on the vitality of a community, its children and its importance in attracting and keeping businesses and families, as well as its positive impact on property values which benefits all of us. Without a doubt, the Renton School District has and continues to demonstrate a quality track record that makes Renton (and surrounding communities within the district) a place where business owners can look to relocate and tout as a perk to prospective employees.

By John Galluzzo • January 12, 2012 2:12 pm

As a local business owner and 2011 past chairman of the Renton Chamber of Commerce, I understand the importance that a quality education system has on the vitality of a community, its children and its importance in attracting and keeping businesses and families, as well as its positive impact on property values which benefits all of us.  Without a doubt, the Renton School District has and continues to demonstrate a quality track record that makes Renton (and surrounding communities within the district) a place where business owners can look to relocate and tout as a perk to prospective employees.

As examples:

• The district has a graduation rate of 93 percent for three consecutive years;

• Last year, all elementary schools increased test scores: 70 percent improved state test scores in mathematics and science by 20 percentage points or more;

• The district has received audit awards for financial management and reporting for eight consecutive years;

• 98 percent of teachers meet the federal definition of “highly qualified;”

• Nearly 70 percent of teachers hold master’s degrees; an additional two dozen this year joined the 60 others who have meet the rigorous standards to become National Board Certified teachers; and

• Our superintendent was Washington State’s 2011 Superintendent of the Year and the school board was awarded the state’s 2011 Board of Distinction.

Let me take just a minute to walk you through these three important issues that we are asking for your support on.

The Education Maintenance and Operations Replacement levy simply continues on where the current levy leaves off, meeting the daily needs of the district from teachers salaries to bus service and so on.

The Technology Levy funds many of the district’s continued improvements in technology from simply maintaining software with upgrades, maintaining teacher computer training, covering the cost of annual software licenses and making continued improvements is classroom technology.  These items are essential to retaining the achievements already gained and ensuring future progress.

The School Building Improvement Bond will provide a much-needed new middle school in the north end of our district.  All of our Renton middle schools will see an immediate benefit in the district’s ability to reduce the number of children at each of the three existing middle schools by adding a fourth middle school. Other additional improvements from the bond will be upgrades and modernizations of other schools from roofs, air systems and such.  In addition, the district will have the necessary funds for the much-needed renovation and improvements at the community asset which is the Lindbergh pool, in the long run these improvements will save the district money by lowering the actual operating costs of that facility.

So the common question is “what will this cost the average property owner here in Renton?”  On a median average basis, defined as a home with a taxable value of $252,000, the increase over today’s current tax would only be roughly $173 per year or about $ 14 per month.  That number includes all three issues, both levies and the bond. That is an exceptional value.

The entire Renton School District from our Superintendent of the Year, our School Board and everyone else have worked so hard and the improvements in our educational system are very well documented.  At a time where we are all concerned about how effectively tax dollars are spent, it is important to note that with all three of these issues, the two levies and the one bond, that all funds will remain in the Renton School District for the continued improvement of our Renton schools.

For our seniors on a fixed income, some our disabled community members and some of our respected veterans you may be eligible for a residential property tax exemption.  Please contact the King County Assessor’s Website at (www.kingcounty.gov/Assessor/taxpayerassistance/taxrelief), or call 206-296-3920.

Without a doubt, from districtwide improvements in test scores, graduation rates, capital projects which are completed on time and on budget, this district has earned our trust as exceptional stewards of these public funds.  I believe it is so important for all of us in the Renton Community that we continue to provide our PROVEN Renton School District the necessary funds to continue on this great path which provides all children of the Renton School District with an education we can all be proud of.

I thank you for taking your time to read this and ask you for your support and vote for these three important issues on Feb. 14. Let’s keep the great momentum in our favor.  VOTE YES FOR RENTON SCHOOLS on Feb. 14th!

John Galluzzo is chair of the Citizens for Renton Schools.