feel that there needs to be a little education involved in the discussion of off-island students. Lets start with what we learn directly from the school district, in the Beachcomber opinion on of November 9: First, OI students bring in 10% of our operating budget. This is great, but the 271 out of 1536 students also represent 18% of our school population. Doesn’t this also mean that the off-island students consume 18% of the budget? This is further reinforced by statements from the beachcomber and the district that we have to vote yes on the levy, because the state money does not cover the cost of education. More kids, more state money, bigger hole to fill in the budget!

Does more students mean a larger school? Yes, but if I were to ask off-island parents, I think I would find big schools are not always better schools. Does lots more state money mean better schools? Seattle gets a lot of state money, but I believe our schools are better. Does more students and diversity equate to a better education? Again, if this was the solution, Seattle schools would be better than ours.

I believe that the quality of education that our children receive on Vashon is a result of the quality of educators that we have, and the involvement of the parents of those children in their education. I am sure that money and size help, but I am unwilling to accept that these are the only, or even primary determinants of the quality of education available. I would welcome a study from the school board which realistically examines what our school would look like if we did not have off-island students, and I would imagine this could be produced for less than the cost of advertising for those students.

— Charles Green