Vancouver resident Linda Campbell expresses her support for Evergreen School District levies
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 am a teacher in the Evergreen School District. I see the power of community support with my ability to serve my students.
Levy dollars have allowed my 5th graders to explore band and orchestra, go students on engaging field trips for hands-on learning experiences, receive in class support with paraprofessionals, and stock my school with adequate supplies to make copies and run science experiments. All of these programs and supports are made possible with community backing of levies.
Quality schools are made through our community partnerships. Please vote Yes to renew Evergreen levies. Vote by February 11th.
Linda Campbell
Vancouver
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The Evergreen SD is Hemorrhaging students. This has led to a major decline in state funding. Hundreds of personnel are being laid off. Programs need to be cut. The ask on the ballot wants the public to make up for the shortfalls. Go look at your new taxes: https://gis.clark.wa.gov/gishome/Property/
We all want whats best for children but if we don’t face reality the resulting damage will be worse. Evergreen (like other school districts in Clark County) is on a state watch list. See what those against the levy are saying: https://swweducation.org/voting-against-the-evergreen-levys-is-a-good-decision/
Here’s a Test Question: Where does the State of Washington get “its share” of school funding??
Answer: It comes from a separate line item on my property tax statement, along with “my share” as well.
There is legislation in process right now that would lift the existing 1% property tax levy lid from 1% to 3%, along with additional authority for localities like the City of Vancouver to raise it even higher. Its insanity to approve any kind of tax increase with so much potential tax liability on the horizon.
I also read a great deal with concern about how so-called “technology” in our schools has all but destroyed student’s ability to communicate in writing and in person. I see absolutely no merit in handing Evergreen $50 Million over four years to make the problem even worse for even more generations of school children.
I voted my ballot today against both of these outrageously expensive and ill-timed “requests”. Evergreen has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
Linda Campbell’s letter to the editor is interesting. Linda did not mention the basics, reading, writing, math, you know. I agree with electives, but not at the expense of basics. The last stats I saw of this school district was that “outcomes” in basics had dropped way below the national averages, while salaries go up. We have lived in Clark County since 1971. We started in the public schools with our two boys. Before the end of the 2nd grade we took both boys out and started home schooling. This was very successful. We also used Christian schools that were available. We home schooled up to the 11th grade. We prioritized basics first, then electives and sports. Our sports, soccer, football, baseball were integrated with public and Christian schools. Yes, we still payed our school levies, even though we did not see the results we thought should be there. The outcomes in basics should justify the increase.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
Linda, will extra funding turn these abysmal statistics around? Math proficiency at 27%. What the money is for sounds squishy to me. Perhaps spending what the district has, which is considerable, more wisely would gather some support. My family will be voting no.