UPLACE: Quality schools help define community

NANCY SCHMAUDER; Tacoma
Last updated: January 21st, 2010 12:22 AM (PST)

Why would I support the University Place School maintenance and operations levy Feb. 9? I am a 36-year resident of UP, have no children and have been retired for several years.

I support the levy because I have benefitted from living in this exceptional community whose epicenter is the University Place School District. The current measure is simply a maintenance and operations levy, intended to “maintain” what our community has worked so hard to develop. Nothing new is included by this measure.

But should the levy fail, course offerings, staffing, music, drama, sports and activities will all face serious cuts. My money helped build these programs and facilities. It would be a tragedy to abandon them now.

Our kids, our community and our property values depend on this vote. If you doubt this, just watch the “homes for sale” listings which proudly boast UP schools.

Please join me in voting to maintain the quality of the entire University Place community.

Originally published: January 21st, 2010 12:22 AM (PST)