LETTER: Off-island students are no reason to vote ‘no’ on bond
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Mr. Schnelz’s letter last week was short-sighted to say the least (“Bond is unnecessary, vote ‘no’ to keep off-island families away,” April 19). I feel particular frustration with the sentiment that he and other members of our community express about the commuter student population. A sentiment that is being promoted as an excuse for everything from not supporting our district’s facility maintenance to withholding charitable donations to organizations supporting our schools.
Off-island children in Vashon schools take nothing away from resident students. No, their families do not pay Vashon property taxes, but each commuter student does contribute income to VISD at a level much greater than their tax share would provide.
The resident population of island children is simply not large enough to financially sustain the district at the high standard parents expect, especially considering the ongoing school funding gap from the state. Commuter students also bring diversity.
My son has several commuter friends. They are great kids and their parents are lovely, motivated people who are grateful for the educational opportunity on Vashon. They know they do not have anything half so good in their mainland communities and have a greater appreciation of VISD than many islanders.
What would happen without commuter students? We can look to Bainbridge Island School District for a possible scenario. Bainbridge has no significant commuter student group and is suffering declining resident enrollment and running a $2 million deficit, according to an April 14 article in the Kitsap Sun. It will be laying off teachers this year.
Our VISD administration has had the foresight to take advantage of the opportunity and weave the commuter student program into our schools. It is time to stop analyzing this senseless discrimination against commuter students. The sentiment expressed by Mr. Schnelz is one that attempts to divide our students and introduce intolerance. Let’s not stand for it.
— Rheagan Sparks
