Douglas County School District deserves voter support!
When I look at this over-crowded November ballot, I'm looking for a way to make an impact in MY community that will translate to the world. Education is always a hot topic. We constantly hear about where we rank in education throughout the world and how we are equipping our children to be successful when they enter what is now a global work force. It is important that we give all of our children a fighting chance.
This November, Douglas County School District is asking voters to approve a budget and bond measure (3A and 3B) for additional funding. I see a real opportunity here, to make an impact in my community now, which will have lasting effects into the future. Like so many communities, we can decide that education is a priority and dedicate the necessary resources to that end. By showing our support now, we can build the foundation in our children's lives and collectively achieve the educational goals that we have set for our nation.
In Douglas County School District we have a remarkable return on investment. We have one of the highest achieving school districts in the state. We have rigorous graduation requirements, high graduation rates, low dropout rates and students prepared to take on their futures. For the past 50 years, DCSD has focused its resources on making our educational system successful and as a result, our children successful. Despite these efforts, we still face tough challenges ahead. Our educational system has done its best to keep up with demands - of working with slim resources and keeping up with significant growth. Without new financial support growth, which is not expected to stop (with 2,000 plus new students anticipated each year through 2012), can lead to overpopulated schools, large class sizes, a track system and difficulty keeping qualified teachers compensated at appropriate rates while delivering educational content that is superior and relevant to a generation of digitally-native children.
For once, the School District is actually asking for what it NEEDS rather than just what they think our County's voters will "tolerate." I believe, to prepare our children for their successful future, we need support this request. We need the appropriate number of schools in our community to support the population size of our County. We need to keep our classroom sizes manageable so that each individual receives the attention they need to succeed. In tough times, I look for a sound investment. I have no doubt about the value of this return.
To maintain our high-quality School District, I support 3A/3B. Through these local ballot measures, we will be able to provide the additional funding necessary to support our children's education. I hope that you will join me in voting yes on 3A/3B. It'll cost me 9 cents a day for every $100,000 of home value. For more information, go to:
www.Citizens4DCSchools.com.
Shelley Joplin, Parker