Editor,

On Feb. 11, the North Whidbey community agreed to continue providing local funds to maintain our excellent local schools.

Over the last couple years I have had the opportunity to learn quite a bit about how Oak Harbor Public Schools (OHPS) supports and educates our kids. From end to end it is impressive.

For instance, OHPS ably serves the 23% of students that have a wide range of special education needs. The high school has a surprisingly broad set of Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses led by teachers with specialized expertise. The CTE courses include auto, wood, metals, culinary, forensics, pottery, video production, architecture, etc. Each of our schools benefit from full time librarians, art teachers, music teachers and nurses. The sports programs are free for all students to participate in and have had great success of late.

We could not have achieved the amazing 62% “yes” vote without the many volunteers who braved the cold to wave signs, nudged their neighbors to vote and shared their stories of how OHPS is succeeding.

So, thank you to the community for your continued support of our local schools. Our kids … and our community … will benefit.

Jack Schwab

Campaign manager

Citizens for Better Schools