Voters in the Sequim school district will soon be asked to approve a significant facilities upgrade that, for many years, will provide the community with a secure but not fancy school setting for our children.

I have lived in Sequim for more than 20 years; I have never had children or grandchildren in Sequim schools. However, I believe it is my responsibility as a citizen to provide secure public schools and educational opportunities — offering students the education that will serve them whatever their career plans.

As a district home and property owner, I want public schools and other community features (public library and the fire district, etc.) that will enhance the value of my property and help maintain Sequim as a great community — not only to live in, but also to raise children. We should all want to attract professionals, technical and support staff that will provide we seniors with the health and other services we seek.

The district provides for your perusal materials on the process used to determine current and future facility needs. Reports and financial information may be obtained online from the district, and representatives of the committees and the district are available to answer questions regarding the recommendations leading to the bond election.

It has been my good fortune to serve on two facility review “community outreach” committees during the past 20 years. I know how much time went into these efforts and the “bare bones” limit to which these committees kept their recommendations.

Good schools give us a great community. Please join my wife and me as we vote “yes.”

Jim Pickett

Sequim