We love to talk a lot of green on Vashon, but Referendum 52 (R-52) would actually help us build out a cleaner, greener infrastructure for our local school system. This is a smart measure that invests state money in the efficiency and safety of school buildings within Washington state.

This translates to an investment in environmental quality, education and health — three crucial factors impacting our children’s future.

R-52 distributes funding through a competitive grant program. Grants can be used for projects such as updating lighting, retrofitting HVAC systems, and removing toxins such as lead, mold and asbestos — all issues that we’ve had to deal with here on the Island in recent years, and had trouble raising funds for through local bond issues. Only those projects that are guaranteed to provide a full return on investment through energy cost savings can qualify, making R-52 economically responsible and environmentally valuable.

In addition, consider the local construction and retro-fitting work this funding would create for industries hard hit by the economic downturn. Vote yes on R-52 to support local jobs, improved student and faculty health, education, the economy and the environment throughout Washington state.

— Kyle Cruver