Ridgefield resident Kate Graham offers her support for the Ridgefield schools propositions

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

I look forward to supporting our Ridgefield schools by voting YES on Propositions 12 and 13, and I hope you’ll join me.

As a parent with children currently enrolled in the district, I have been a supporter of our schools long before my kids started attending and plan to continue well beyond their school years. While I’ve always been an advocate for education, my time volunteering in the schools has made it abundantly clear how urgently our schools need additional space. It doesn’t take long on an elementary school campus to see the signs of overcrowding.

Like rivers cresting after relentless winter rains or a child zealously overfilling a cereal bowl with milk, our schools are bursting at the seams. Overcrowding has significant, tangible impacts. Teachers are forced to delay the start of the school day as they wait for buses that can’t accommodate all the children. Lunchtimes are scheduled either too early or too late to accommodate the volume of students cycling through the lunchrooms. My own kindergartener was baffled by recess rules that prohibit running near play structures — a restriction put in place to ensure safety in overcrowded spaces. The drop-off and pick-up lines stretching far beyond school property are yet another glaring example.

Our school staff — teachers, aides, and support personnel — are the unsung heroes, tirelessly adapting and creating solutions to make the school day manageable. They act as the “dams” holding back the floodwaters of overcrowding, ensuring that arrival, lunch, recess, and dismissal run as smoothly as possible. But these stopgap measures are not sustainable. The time has come to take action by voting YES on Proposition 13, which will fund a much-needed third elementary school and make essential repairs to our existing schools.

Equally important is Proposition 12, which ensures our schools continue to provide critical services and retain the staff necessary for high-quality education. Proposition 12 is a renewal of the existing levy set to expire at the end of this year. Unfortunately, the funding allocated by the state for “basic education” falls far short of what our schools and students need. Proposition 12 fills that gap, supporting the essential programs and services that our children and community rely on.

At its heart, Ridgefield is a vibrant community that values its people and its future. Our schools and children are a core part of this foundation. That’s why I’m excited to vote YES for Propositions 12 and 13 on February 11th. Please join me in supporting our schools and securing a brighter future for Ridgefield.

Kate Graham
Ridgefield

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