The past two Saturdays I spent a few hours doorbelling in neighborhoods in support of the upcoming school bond. I don’t like doorbelling, in fact, there are about 12 million things I would rather be doing, but I went door-to-door because I know how important the school bond is to the future of our community and our school system.

Most people I talk to are not aware that there are four high school teachers who don’t have classrooms and float from class to class. I share my room with one of those teachers and so I prepare and grade for my classes in a book closet.

It isn’t just that our schools are crowded (Washington schools rank 47th in class size) it is that many of our buildings have reached the end of their lifespan and have to be replaced. There isn’t going to be a better time. Interest rates are low, building costs are low, and all-day kindergarten is going to force the district to expand.

I hear people who oppose the bond say that it is too much, it should be done in pieces and that we should wait for a better time. There isn’t a better time; each piece of the project is necessary, and even after the bond passes the tax rates in Sequim will be far below the state average.

Strong, vibrant communities need strong, vibrant schools, please support your community and vote yes for your schools.

Jon Eekhoff

Sequim

(Eekhoff is a teacher at Sequim High School)