Letters to the Editor for Jan. 23, 2020

Washougal levies will help students 'rise' As a parent of Washougal School District (WSD) students and a homeowner in Washougal, I am in full support of the replacement levies proposed by the WSD. School district funding can be confusing, especially as we work through state-mandated funding changes. That is why it is imperative to pass the replacement levies, which provide needed support staff and programming for all of our schools that enrich and enhance our students' education. This also includes the added technology component, which keeps our district resources up to date and competitive to provide our students with the best opportunity to advance their education while in WSD. The Enhanced Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) provides for sports and performing arts programs vital to a well-rounded educational experience. Students in Washougal have opportunities for the arts, drama, choir, band, world languages, athletics and many other classes that add to their educational experience and bring a diverse opportunity to our diverse community. The Tech Levy will put powerful, 21st-century learning tools in the hands of students, to prepare them for a technology focused world. It would be wrong to limit the WSD budget by more than 14 percent by not passing these replacement levies. WSD has made such amazing progress as a whole in many great areas of study and performance. In this small way, our community of Washougal can help the school district's vision -- Washougal knows, nurtures and challenges all students to rise -- become a reality. Nathan Knottingham, Washougal Congresswoman works for 'everyday people' There's a bright future because of the positive efforts by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler including her support of HR 19, a bipartisan law to lower prescription drug prices and protect access to new therapy; HR 4996, which combats the maternal mortality crisis; and HR 4995, which improves quality of maternal health for moms in rural areas; and securing $875,000 in local grants to prevent youth substance use. Herrera Beutler was awarded the prestigious 2019 Public Service Award by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Not joining the haters in Washington D.C., Herrera Beutler works to solve the problems of everyday people. Brad W. Jensen, Camas

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