Although I was going to write this column anyway, the local newspaper beat me to it. So I will just say that I agree with what the Editorial Board of the Great Falls Tribune wrote: “Times are tough, but mill levy deserves support.”

Exactly.

There are many things that can be said like, “the children are our future” and things like that. You already know that.

I’ve seen the “products” that have come through the school district – highly-educated young men and women who are ready to enter college or trade school or just move into the job market after graduation.

Unlike many folks, I have actually traveled around the country and was the product of several different schools – so I have an advantage of knowing what other schools look like (albeit several years ago). One of my children attends Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) and one graduated from GFPS. My favorite part of the school district is the music departments – and sadly those classes seem to be the first to go when times get tough along with foreign language classes.  The public school system in Great Falls is one of the finer things about this community, and we can keep it that way for just a few pennies a week.

Of course there are some in the community who are against paying more and that is their right. I do find it somewhat ironic that people will spend hours upon hours of their personal time attending meetings or buying ads or putting up signs that ultimately ends up costing more in gas money or advertising money than they will spend on the levy. According to the Tribune, “…the additional mills will cost about $15.71 annually for a $100,000 home.”

Just $15.71 annually – which is a very good investment.

Yes, times are tough (as the Tribune Editorial Board wrote). Some folks (like me) are unemployed, but we still understand that education is the key to a brighter future and we, as a community, need to take pride in our schools and ensure our children are provided with the tools to succeed in this world.

Vote FOR the additional levy for the Elementary general fund. Vote FOR the additional levy for High School general fund.