Area resident James Landon offers his support for the Hockinson Schools levy
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
As a Ridgefield resident with long-standing ties to the Hockinson School District, I feel compelled to speak up about the recent commentary surrounding the upcoming levy. My wife has been employed by the district for 20 years, and although we now live in Ridgefield, our family’s roots in Hockinson run deep. Her great-grandparents were among the original homesteaders of the area, and our two daughters attended Hockinson schools.
We have seen firsthand the dedication of the staff, the strength of the programs, and the impact this district has on the children who pass through it. That perspective matters when evaluating the claims being made about this levy.
I have been following the recent Clark County Today coverage about the levy, and I think some of the loudest opposition is missing the bigger picture of what this community actually is and how it became what it is. It is frustrating to see people who raised their children in Hockinson schools, who benefited from the teachers, coaches, administrators, programs, and opportunities this district provides, now refusing to support the same system that helped their kids succeed. That is not fiscal responsibility. That is simply turning your back on the community once you have gotten everything you needed from it. Our schools did not lose value the moment their children moved on.
Hockinson has never been a place where families start out. People work hard, build their careers, and eventually choose Hockinson because it offers safety, stability, and a school district with a strong reputation. Families move here to get away from the crime and chaos of the city. They come here because Hockinson schools teach work ethic, character, and community values.
That reputation was built over decades by educators and supported by taxpayers who understood the importance of investing in the next generation. And let’s be honest. Nobody is being forced out of their home by this levy. Property taxes rise and fall with the market, and Hockinson’s growth did not begin yesterday. This area has been changing since the 1800s, when the original homesteaders aged out of farming and began dividing their land. That is how neighborhoods were created. That is how most of us ended up with the homes we live in today. Growth is not new, and it is not the fault of the schools.
It is also worth pointing out that Hockinson’s spending has consistently been proven responsible by state audit and accountability standards. The district passes its audits with flying colors year after year. The idea that money is being wasted simply does not match the facts. Not every decision made by the district will be popular. That is true for any organization that serves thousands of people.
Decisions about finances, discipline, and policy are made by staff and administrators who care deeply about this community. They make those choices with the goal of supporting all residents, all children, and all staff, not just the loudest voices in the room. Supporting our schools is not about politics. It is about taking care of the community we inherited. It is about recognizing that we were given something valuable and that we have a responsibility to maintain it for the families who come after us.
A levy replacement is not a luxury. It is the basic investment required to keep Hockinson strong, safe, and desirable. If we want to preserve the qualities that brought people to this community in the first place, then supporting our schools is essential. As a family that has lived through these experiences, entrusted our children to these classrooms, and continues to be connected through my wife’s work in the district, we know the value of this school system. Hockinson is worth investing in, and this levy is part of that commitment.
James Landon
Ridgefield
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