I wanted to thank Matthew Jarvis for his article, “Why I am voting no on levy.” It was candid and challenged the idea of business-as-usual.

I am a homeowner in Federal Way and I have been astonished at the amount of property taxes that people pay here compared to the quality of education provided to our children. I have kids and education is so important that my wife and I are considering leaving Federal Way so that our children can attend a better school system.

The idea that agencies can propose levy after levy without any tangible improvement to the current system is laughable. Unfortunately, when lawmakers propose a levy for education or first-responders, they tend to present them on the platform of fear and the general public rushes to approve this levy with little thought toward improvement or accountability. “Your children will be in crowded classrooms.” “It will take one hour for police to arrive at your call.”

One of the only ways that the public can force change is through elections. These elections can be for positions or for funding (through a levy). If you want to force the school system to change, you need to cut their funding and make them address the fundamental problems. So, if you are unhappy with the current school system, force change. Vote no.

Thomas Sager, Federal Way