Commenting on the need for Washington County voters to vote for the proposed sales tax on the Aug. 28th ballot, Dr. Lou Cleveland notes the following:
“Washington County schools are not the typical 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. schools that a lot of us attended. Our schools serve breakfast, offer after school care and tutoring, teach students as young as three years old, provide summer meals and learning opportunities, house a free clothes closet, and offer many other essential auxiliary services.”
Cleveland adds, “Schools will need to adapt to future instructional support services needed by students and families. It is essential to have funds to renovate buildings for new purposes and expand facilities for new uses to provide these services. Additionally, schools are preparing students for careers that don’t even exist in 2018. If students are going to be able to adapt to tomorrow’s workplace, they must be learning with the latest technology and learning tools. Our schools must have the ability to create new courses and/or job training programs that prepare students for emerging jobs and careers.”
She says, “Funds from the half-cent sales tax would pay for start-up costs for these training opportunities and provide funds for needed renovations and expansion of facilities.”