I would like to respond to a comment that Centralia school board member Vicki Jackson made in an article in The Chronicle several days ago. She said, “I understand you can vote no. I’d just love to hear why. I understand that we’re all facing inflation and taxes just never seem to end, but I really would love to hear the rationale. It’s very disheartening to be sitting here and trying to do the right thing for our kids.”
First, to answer her question, I voted no on this levy. We voters are not open bank accounts with unlimited funds. If this levy would have passed, it would have cost me around $700 to $800 in taxes a year. I am medically retired and a disabled veteran living on a fixed income. Many of my neighbors are in the same situation as me. This is a large sum of money to me and I feel that I could put this money to better use. With the cost of inflation, it is a struggle to make ends meet, this amount of money would help in the struggle.
Second, I have a child in the Centralia School District and I am not happy with what they are teaching my child. The woke agenda is creeping into the classrooms, I have seen it with my own eyes and I don't want this agenda being taught to my child. I would like to go back to basics where English, math and reading are taught, leaving agendas and politics out of the classroom.
The Centralia School District has time to make necessary changes and prove to the voters they can become good stewards of the money before the next election.
Andrew Boehm
Centralia
