The Tahoma School District is set to ask voters to approve a $150 million, ($125 million levy and $25 million federal matching funds) levy, a very large sum for a small district.

I understand the need for capital improvements primarily to Lake Wilderness Elementary, (it was in need of repair when I attended it),  but another new elementary school in addition to the wish list the district has seems out of scale for the population of the district.

With so many of our friends and neighbors struggling to make their mortgage and stay in their homes it seems insensitive and out of touch for the district to ask for what amounts to a 20 percent plus increase in our property tax rate directed to schools.

No doubt an additional $30 to $40 a month will make a hit to a lot of budgets already stretched.

That money has to come from somewhere.

How many of us have watched our home values plummet  25 to 30 percent in the last several years, while at the same time our property taxes continue to rise?

The bigger picture continues to be overlooked. The guiding principles and purpose of the state’s Growth Management Act, directs growth (development) to pay its own way in regards to the infrastructure required to support it.

Growth should pay for growth.

If it is determined that the district needs a new elementary school as a result of development in the now on the back burner donut hole or the accumulation of developments, how about putting the new school where it is needed, in the donut hole, reducing transportation costs and traffic.

The impact fees that the district levies on development seem completely inadequate.

Some might say I’m just being cheap and against our future generations, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I just believe our district can do better and our citizen’s deserve better.

Kevin Daoust

Ravensdale