Opinion: Letter to the Editor from School Board Candidate Collette Guyott-Hempel

Editor's note: The following was submitted as a letter to the editor by Collette Guyott-Hempel, a candidate in the 2012 general election for the District 279 School Board.

I would like to say thank you to my supporters and the voters of District 279. 

I regret that the levies both failed. I had hoped that the levy money would be able to equalize technology throughout the district and we could move forward with improving the academic environment for our students. 

I ask that both my supporters and all taxpayers in this community get involved and support appropriate budget choices in the budget cuts during this budget year. We must protect the classrooms in our decisions and buildings may have to close again. We have lost 1100 students in the last four years which would indicate that some of the smaller buildings may have to close if class sizes are to be reasonable. 

Please stay in contact with the Board Members throughout this process. The decision to not support the levies was done by both sides of the district and now tough choices are necessary. Thank you again to my supporters and to those who support public education.

Collette Guyott-Hempel