As your state representative I have an interest in seeing local school districts succeed and the state provide the needed funding for that success to occur. Part of that success lies in the framework we provide for our children to learn, the actual buildings needed for education.

These school buildings are capital costs and the State Department of Natural Resources has a mission of providing state matching funds for locally raised capital funds by harvesting timber off our state forestlands. It is up to the local voters to approve bonds that will access these vital state matching dollars.

First, local school board directors must complete a complicated needs assessment and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has to ensure all state laws, guidelines, and best practices are being followed.

All of this has been completed and the final step is local voter approval.

I strongly urge you to vote Yes for Sequim Schools on April 22 construction matching dollars and most important, will give our children the tools and space they need to get the vital education that Sequim Schools provide.

Kevin Van De Wege

State Representative

Sequim