On Feb. 10, 2015, the Sequim community will vote on a $49.2 million school facility bond. Last year, the district requested a $154 million bond. The community said no; it was too much and needed to be a more realistic goal. The Sequim School District leadership heard the message and pared back their request to a third of the desired need.

This strategic decision by the district leadership is an excellent move.

It is important to be reminded that “bonds” are for the school and facility needs. They are not the “levies” that provide for the educational operations and the teachers. Bonds provide for construction and renovation of school facilities.

I and our Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal community fully support this bond. We believe that a quality educational system is essential for our current and future generations.

I watched the five-part video of the community presentation led by Superintendent Kelly Shea justifying why this bond is so urgently needed and I couldn’t agree more.

It is disturbing that we don’t have a facility for our elementary school that provides a safe environment and classroom size that is mandated and appropriate for teaching our youth.

Our teachers are teaching in worn out, outdated facilities — some of which are over 60 years old — and our school attendance has grown significantly.

It is time to upgrade into the 21st century!

This bond is long overdue as we examine the fact that the district has brought in more than 25 portables to accommodate the classroom needs and the fact that half are over 20 years old. That is simply unacceptable.

This bond replaces the Helen Haller Elementary School and upgrades many other facilities including beginning to address Sequim High School’s needs. It will not solve all those facility problems, but will address the highest priority needs.

The good news is the district has proposed a bond that keeps our property taxes at only a few cents above what we paid in 2014.

Everyone agrees that education is an essential service to all communities and to the future of our children. We must look at the big picture to understand a quality educational system is one of the key factors in enhancing our economy. We have a growing set of young families and must provide safe, secure and quality facilities for their kids’ education.

If you need further justification to vote yes, then remember that quality schools increase property values and enhance the quality of life for all families and the community.

Quality school systems attract the best professionals, e.g. medical, legal, etc. to locate in our community.

Last but not least, they are integral to attracting new business and industry ventures to generate new jobs.

In conclusion, I and our tribe firmly endorse this bond proposal and urge our community to vote yes and invest in a stronger, better future for our youth and families.

W. Ron Allen is Chairman/CEO of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.