It's time to support Cheney schools with bond passage

I’ve probably voted for all of two tax increases in my lifetime and I’ve certainly not always been pleased with public education, but now is the right time to approve the Cheney school bond.

The high school portion of the bond has been reduced. The overall bond is higher than last time as the district wisely included small expansions and safety upgrades to each of the five elementary schools.

I encourage Airway Heights residents to get on board with this bond. A second high school should not be built until there are enough students for two schools to accommodate 800-1,000 students each. This is the model Mead followed when it added Mt. Spokane High School.

In Central Valley School District, Liberty Lake is more happy to bus their students to a state-of-the-art high school. A second high school closer to Airway Heights would be a future goal after zoning issues are resolved for site acquisition.

Wondering why the new bond allows for three gyms at the high school? That would be the “no-cut” athletic policy, which should probably be addressed.

Like other communities in the area, the high school should offer an adequate auditorium for the arts and community events.

Homeowners can support this bond because when it comes time to sell our homes, we want to advertise the best school facilities possible.

No one enjoys tax increases, but for Cheney schools and a community proud to host Eastern Washington University, it’s time.

Leslie King

Cheney