Each of our Mercer Island School District PTA general memberships and/or executive boards have endorsed the 2018 MISD Replacement Educational Levy, which will be on the ballot this Feb. 13. Our members value and recognize the importance of the levy for keeping Mercer Island schools strong and for providing the best education for each and every one of our students.

This four-year maintenance and operations levy will replace the previous levy that voters approved in 2014. This levy will provide critical funds to support approximately 20 percent of the overall operational costs of the district. This funding will support:

• 38 percent of the special education funding for the district.

• Elementary programs including music, art, PE and Spanish.

• The seven-period day at the high school.

• Ongoing professional development opportunities for district staff.

• Stipends for staff to offer additional opportunities for students, including after school clubs and activities at all grade levels.

• Expanded electives at Mercer Island High School and Islander Middle School.

• Small class sizes for different learners or in specific subject areas.

• Classified support in classrooms with overloads, additional special education or English language learners.

On behalf of our students, we encourage Island voters to vote yes for the school levy.

Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks and Debbie Hanson, MIHS PTSA co-presidents; Suzanne Riley, IMS PTSA president; Lesley Poole, Island Park PTA president; Elizabeth Evans and Nancy Weil, Lakeridge PTA co-presidents; Danielle Orr-Bement, Northwood PTA president; and Joci Besecker and Kristy Sieckhaus; West Mercer PTSA co-presidents