On November 6^th

Vote to APPROVE 4204

“A Simple Majority for Our Schools”

Our schools are dependent on voter-supported levies to secure funding for basic necessities,    such as smaller class sizes, up-to-date textbooks, teacher training, security and technology staff, buses, and computers, as well as light, heat and building maintenance and repair.

Currently these levies require a “super majority”, or 60% of a vote, to pass.

In 2006, 32 levies in our state failed despite receiving a majority vote.  A levy failure in a district – even with 59% if the vote - results in deep budget cuts, staff and teacher layoffs, program cuts, and disruptions to our kids’ education.   Costly re-votes rob our kids of dollars that could be spent on education, and waste precious time and taxpayer money.  

Last spring, our Legislature passed an historic bi-partisan bill asking voters to amend the Constitution to allow school levies to pass with a simple majority. This change is supported by an amazing coalition of educators, parents, business leaders, school boards, and faith communities. On November 6^th, we will vote to ratify this fair and common sense change.

Your vote to Approve 4204 will allow school operational levies to pass with a simple majority  – 50% + 1 vote.

Why is your support for 4204 necessary?

a.      Because local school levies provide fundamental needs

b.      Because schools need help.   Washington ranks 47^th in the nation in class size.   Simple Majority doesn’t solve all of our problems, but it’s a first step.

c.      Because levy failures hurt our kids.   Levies typically pay for 16-20% of schools' operating budgets.

d.      Because the 60% rule is unfair to our kids and schools.    It is easier to vote in a sports stadium, new municipal park or jail than it is to pass a school levy that protects a vital funding stream for education.

e.      Simple Majority is a first, necessary step towards fixing Ed funding.    4204 tells our Legislators, the press, and ourselves that education - the state’s “paramount duty” - is important to us.  We can't have Simple Majority for Bonds, unless we first pass Simple Majority for Levies

 What can you do to ensure 4204 – A Simple Majority?

Questions?  Want to help?   Contact Alison Shaw, EJH Legislative Chair at  alison@ShawsAtHome.com