Prior to voting for the school bonds the board president said, “What do we need to do for our students and staff to be successful?” The most important thing for a successful student is an inspiring teacher. The facility is not up there at that level of importance. One question they did not ask is what do we really need to do to maintain the schools given the poor economy and the strain a large tax increase would place on our citizens.

Most of us are interested in the best for our children, but at a reasonable cost. We try to teach our children the difference between want and need. The important thing  to do when you are using “other people’s money” is to spend only what is necessary and spend it wisely.

Another thing to consider is to prioritize what is really needed at this time. A tax increase of $29 a month for a $200,000 valued home is a lot of money for any homeowner. Sequim has a lot of senior citizens that live on a fixed income. Many of them use any extra money they have to donate to local charities such as the food bank, Boys & Girls Club, the free clinic and others. Every additional dollar that goes for taxes reduces the amount for those important charities.

Many people that rent think that this increase will not affect them. They are wrong. Landlords would have to increase the rent in order to be able to afford to continue owning the property. I think the school board should rethink how much they “really need” and take into consideration all of those affected, including the taxpayers.

Linda Beatty

Sequim