Letters: Educator wants override funds to continue

My family has resided in Surprise for more than 12 years. We were drawn to the area because of its reputation for top-quality schools. This was important to me as both an educator and a parent. We watched the Dysart Unified School District grow, add programs and services and enhance its reputation for excellence in education.

Maintaining schools with A+ ratings and a graduation rate higher than the state’s overall percentage are no easy tasks. An override is not a tax increase but a continuation of local funding authorized by the voters. A “no” vote penalizes our students with a 15% reduction in funding at a time when the elected legislature and governor already cut education budgets. 

These past several months have been challenging for everyone in the district, but we will soon return to fully utilizing our school facilities. When we do, we need to have hired and trained the highest quality educators and administrators who can support students through appropriate class sizes. We need to promote the art, music, PE, technology and other special areas that are proven to enhance students’ academic achievement. We need to be able to give young children the step up they deserve with a full-day kindergarten program. All these opportunities and more will be possible with a successful override election.

As an educator for 25 years, I urge all voters to vote “yes” for Dysart on Nov. 3.