Ridgefield resident Matt White offers his support for the upcoming Ridgefield ballot 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 urge Ridgefield voters to support Propositions 12 and 13 on the February 11 ballot. One of the big reasons my family relocated to Ridgefield was the excellent schools. While other districts have contracted in recent years, Ridgefield School District is still growing! That growth comes with a challenge to maintain the high quality education that public schools offer in Ridgefield.

Proposition 12 is not a new tax — it’s a replacement for the expiring levy passed in 2022. These funds are the backbone of what makes Ridgefield schools exceptional. They pay for essential staff, classroom supplies, technology, sports, performing arts, clubs, special education, and outdoor school. They also fund the maintenance and repair of our facilities, ensuring that our students learn in safe and inspiring environments. Voting “yes” on Proposition 12 ensures we continue to provide these critical resources without interruption.

Proposition 13 is our solution to a problem we can no longer ignore. South Ridge and Union Ridge Elementary Schools were built for much smaller student populations and are now bursting at the seams, each housing over 700 students—far above the 350–500 students typically found in neighboring districts’ elementary schools. To manage, we’ve resorted to using portables, but this is not a sustainable solution as the city grows.

This levy will fund the construction of a sorely needed new elementary school, alleviating overcrowding and creating a better learning environment for our youngest learners. It will also allow us to address overdue maintenance projects, such as replacing the roofs at South Ridge and Union Ridge — roofs that are more than 60 and 70 years old, respectively.

Our district has one of the lowest assessed tax rates in the county, and the cost of Proposition 13 is modest — an additional $0.84 per $1,000 of assessed property value for three years. By approving this levy, we’ll unlock $21 million in builder impact fees and $16 million in state funds, ensuring Ridgefield residents pay less than half of the cost to accommodate the growth we’ve already experienced. That’s smart financial stewardship and a tremendous value for our community.

We can’t continue adding new residents without investing in our schools. Propositions 12 and 13 represent an opportunity to give our children the high-quality education they deserve while planning responsibly for the future. These measures are essential to maintaining Ridgefield’s reputation as a great place to live and raise a family.

I invite Ridgefield readers to join me in voting “yes” on Propositions 12 and 13. Join me in helping to build a better future for our kids by providing them the high quality facilities and resources they need.

Matt White
Ridgefield

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