​Follow school leadership and vote yes

By Robert J. Martin, M.D.-retired and Jan Martin, Gig Harbor

We need to do better for our kids! We, you and I, elected a school board to represent us and make difficult decisions to keep the Peninsula School District healthy and viable.

The board is telling us we have an overcrowding crisis and need two new elementary schools, plus Artondale and Evergreen are past repair and need replacement. The board has assured us the bond will not increase our tax rate and is the best way to fund these capital needs.

A levy would increase our tax rate and would not make money immediately available for construction and therefore is not a good choice. When we were deciding where to live 42 years ago, schools were a very important factor.

​​We moved to Gig Harbor instead of Puyallup, because of the schools.

We have three children who all went through PSD schools, graduated from college and are enjoying successful professions. I want our current students to have the same opportunity. Since we elected our school board members, that is, we chose them, we should respect their leadership and follow their recommendations.

Just because a small, vocal group of people disagrees does not make that group correct. None of them are our elected representatives. As a community, we have a responsibility to our kids, and delaying this decision is not in their best interest.

I urge all of you to get out and vote yes on the PSD Bond issue by Feb. 12 and invite your friends to do the same.

We need to get this passed!

​This transcript taken from the original letter published in the Peninsula Gateway on February 7th, 2019