On Feb. 14, voters will have an opportunity to cast two important votes for our community’s future with the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Capital Levy to rebuild Federal Way High School and elementary playgrounds.

I am supporting both measures because I believe that quality schools are as essential to a successful city, as they are to our community’s youth.

As a state legislator, I took a leadership role on education issues because I believe we have an ethical responsibility to provide our young people with the tools to succeed.

Now, as mayor, I also recognize that maintaining quality schools is vital to our economy as well as our community. Quality schools are a critical factor for businesses and families deciding where to locate. With Puget Sound area cities competing for new businesses, think of our schools as a competitive advantage we must have.

The Educational Programs and Operations Levy funds teaching staff, para-educators, athletics and activities, and security and technology staff. The EPO Levy, which pays for about 25 percent of the general expenses of the district, would last for two years and would replace the expiring levy.  These local funds are all the more important because of deepening state cuts to education funding.

Federal Way Public Schools has a remarkable record of returning value for past successful levies. There are outstanding programs like Thomas Jefferson’s International Baccalaureate program, the Internet Academy, Federal Way High’s Cambridge program, and the Career and Technical Education Program. Despite being a relatively poor district, Federal Way Public Schools is recognized widely for its quality programs.

The district has also shown with previous voter-approved construction funds that it can build outstanding new schools and facilities — such as Todd Beamer High School and Sequoyah Middle School — on or under budget and on time. That’s important because it’s well past time to replace our oldest highest school, Federal Way High School.

The current building was constructed in 1929, and has been expanded and renovated multiple times over the past 80 years. The school district has been frugal and gotten as much as it could get out of this building, but they’ve reached the end of what can be done to the building. Eight decades on, it’s time to rebuild the school that gave our city its name.

The levy will also be used to update elementary school playgrounds and implement a district-wide security camera installation to safeguard students, staff and school buildings. If approved, the $60 million levy will leverage an additional $60 million in state school construction assistance and capital funds to complete the $110 million project.

During the eight years I worked on education in the Washington State Legislature, I had the opportunity to meet educators and school superintendents from across the state. Our Federal Way public schools were universally recognized as making up one of the most outstanding school districts Washington has to offer. That is in large part due to the community’s consistent support for school levies and construction funds.

That history of community support for schools is at heart a shared vision of the future, a recognition of the central role our schools play in the Federal Way community. A yes vote for Federal Way schools is a yes vote for Federal Way’s future.