The approval of the three school levies and the King County Library System proposition will benefit each and every one of us. Our schools and libraries are simply underfunded. State support has declined, and our ability to raise funds through local levies has long been restricted. Despite the generosity of Islanders through the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and the Friends of the Library, the money brought in by these local tax levies is absolutely essential. For schools, they not only pay for key learning enhancements for students of all ages, but transportation, building maintenance and even teacher salaries. By approving these initiatives and the initiative to fund the Mercer Island library, part of the King County Library System, we can help continue the work to educate scholars of all ages and abilities both inside and out of the schoolhouse, whether it be schoolchildren, preschoolers and their parents, and citizens who are lifelong readers and learners. As one astute reader pointed out, this ballot is filled with educational issues, a perfect complement to the ideals of our community. Vote yes.