Four years ago, something wonderful happened in the Highline School District. We ended years of negativity and decline and came together in a commitment to rebuild once proud Highline. As a result, construction of nine schools began, several of them already completed.

On March 14 we have an opportunity to continue the momentum toward the future by approving an additional five schools to be built. This will cost us only a temporary bump in our taxes -- for me, for many of us homeowners, it will be a mere $30 for four years.

Communities thrive when the local school system is an incentive for new families to settle here. In choosing the schools, the district is sticking with its promise to follow the priorities set by a citizens group that evaluated all the buildings in the district.

Whether your school is re-built by this bond or not, you will benefit as a member of the Highline community. Look around the district and see the benefits: reduced maintenance and emergency costs, attractive campuses that are safe and healthy for our kids, increased pride and reduced graffiti, and better teacher satisfaction.

Plus, this bond provides resources for increased security for all middle and high schools, and better technology in every building, which will improve our ability to communicate with staff and track our students’ progress.

Please join me on March 14 as we make another positive step for our kids’ education and our community. At $30 for four years, it’s a real bargain.

Scott Desmond

Normandy Park