Our schools currently bring 150 students from off-Island to study here. Each of these students brings $5,200 from the state and some federal money. More importantly, state law allows the district to increase the amount asked for in levies to fund the schools. Thus, each off-Island student costs Vashon taxpayers an amount of money bridging the gap between state funding and the cost of education.

There is a levy limit placed upon school districts. The levy lid originated in the late 1970s to prevent some districts from being “rich” while others were “poor,” and mandated that the state pay for basic education. We are learning this year that the state is adopting a variable definition of “basic education,” which will change depending upon available funds. There is also a mechanism under state law referred to as Levy Equalization, which attempts to equalize school district funding in the state regardless of differences in local costs.

These are poor conditions under which we are forced to fund our children’s education. Please join me in petitioning our Legislature to remove these limits on school funding and allow our community to fund our schools to the level we find appropriate.

Meanwhile, let’s also examine what we gain by purchasing off-Island students. There have been accusations of elitism. The district is selective about which students are allowed to attend our schools. Certainly this is elitist, although I am unfamiliar with the parameters used to judge a students’ suitability to attend our schools. Do these students raise our overall academic levels? Are they able to participate in any of the enrichment programs that occur outside of school hours?

— Charles Green