Cheney levy helps support Cheney School District's extracurricular activities for kids

I am writing this letter as a supporter of the Cheney Public School’s Replacement Education Programs and Operation levy on Feb. 13.

I started working as a paraeducator about nine years ago after moving to Spokane and am now the registrar and attendance secretary at Westwood Middle School. Each day I interact with children who benefit from community passage of the previous levy.

A new three-year levy is on the ballot this year, and with this levy, taxpayers will see their property tax decrease from 2017’s $2.90 per $1,000 to $1.50 per $1,000 in 2019. It will also provide funds for day-to-day educational programs and operations, thus making up the difference between what it costs to operate schools and what is provided by state funding.

The new levy provides teachers and support staff in the form of nurses, health aides, speech, occupational and physical therapists beyond those provided by the state. Without this levy, the district will not receive local effort assistance funding, which will in turn directly affect the needs addressed above, but will also affect the extracurricular and activities programs which are dependent upon levy dollars.

Please vote yes!

Melanie L. Horton

Spokane