Local school districts are going five-for-five when it comes to the levies on the Feb. 19 ballot and local voters should be commended for supporting the districts and, more importantly, the students they serve.
The three programs and operations levies, the technology levy and the transportation levy all currently have enough yes votes to exceed the required simple majority to pass. Although, it should be noted that had Engrossed House Resolution 4204 (which eliminated the need for a supermajority of 60 percent approval for passage) not been approved, all of the local levies on the Feb. 19 ballot would be failing.
Voters in three local school districts Lakewood, Arlington and Darrington all approved replacement programs and operations levies. These levies make up approximately 17 percent of the districts budgets and failure would surely have meant that the district would have had to send them back to the voters. Fortunately, with their passage, districts wont have to go through the time, effort and expense of a second election.
Voters in the Lakewood School District also gave their approval to the proposed technology levy which will allow the district to greatly improve its educational tools, while voters it the Darrington School District also approved a transportation levy which will enable the district to purchase additional buses to address the transportation needs of increased enrollment and enhanced programs.
While no one likes to pay taxes, local voters have shown that they support the local school districts, staff and students by approving the Feb. 19 ballot measures and they should be commended for their willingness to approve the levies to ensure our children receive the educational opportunities they deserve.
Congratulations are also in order based on Monday nights decision by the Arlington School Board to name Kristine McDuffy as the districts new superintendent. McDuffy, who will begin her new duties in July, will be replacing Linda Byrnes who recently announced her retirement.
The Arlington School Board faced a difficult decision as they had two extremely qualified final candidates McDuffy and ASD Deputy Superintendent Warren Hopkins from which to choose. Either would have made a fine superintendent and both should be congratulated for making to the final round of the selection process as well as thanked for their commitment to the district and its students, as well as to the community.
Byrnes has made significant and lasting contributions to the district and the community and will be a hard act to follow. But we are confident that McDuffy is up to the challenge and that she will make important contributions of her own during her tenure at the helm of the Arlington School District.

STF

To contact a member of The Marysville Globe/Arlington Times editorial board Stuart Chernis or Scott Frank e-mail forum@marysvilleglobe.com.