"Our kids deserve these opportunities"

Reposted here with the permission of The Davis Enterprise - http://www.davisenterprise.com/opinion/dunning/our-kids-deserve-these-opportunities/

I'm always a bit leery when an official of the government attempts to give me an unvarnished view of the issues of the day, but if you can't trust the impartial analysis of the Yolo County counsel, what can you trust?

Yes, I have in front of me not the "opinion" of county counsel Robyn Truitt Drivon, but her "impartial analysis" of all aspects of Measure C.

"This analysis of the special tax proposed by the Davis Joint Unified School District," Drivon begins, "is prepared and submitted to the voters pursuant to Elections Code Section 9500." Sounds impartial so far.

"This proposal, if approved by the voters, would authorize the Davis Joint Unified School District ("District") to levy a parcel tax to support the District's schools."

I think we already knew that.

OK, here comes the meat and potatoes. The many reasons some folks claim this tax renewal is desperately needed.

Adds Drivon: "The parcel tax revenues would be used to preserve and continue to fund the following specific programs and services:"

She then lists 14 specific items, lettering each one instead of assigning it a number. But who knows, maybe she's math-challenged. Or maybe she didn't have the privilege of going through the Davis school system.

The first few items listed are basic and predictable. Continue to provide opportunities in math, reading, science, English and social sciences. Hard to argue with any of that.

But it's the rest of the list that really got my attention. Music programs, even at the elementary level. Continued availability of athletics and co-curricular programs, including drama, debate and journalism programs.

Some folks would call the latter programs fluff. Frosting on the cake. Nice to provide in times of plenty, but certainly something we can do without when it's time to tighten the purse strings.

I disagree. We'll never know how many kids stay in school only because of the availability of such programs.

We all know Jack and Jill can do fractions, speak three languages and diagram compound sentences. But can they sing and dance, play a trombone, swing a racket, make a free throw, hit a ball or jump a high hurdle? Can they truly be a contributing part of the team, whether on the field of play or in the school play?

These things are far more than frosting. Indeed, they're truly the equal of the so-called "core" subjects, as essential to educating and nurturing the whole person as any amount of higher mathematics or advanced biology. Without a doubt, for many kids searching for direction, these activities are what make life worth living.

I'm a product of Davis schools, though they tore down my first one, changed the name and language of my second, and decommissioned the third and renamed the building after a coin.

And while my athletic career at Davis High School proved only that I wasn't particularly good at anything, the very existence of all those sports was incredibly important to me, both as a participant and as a spectator.

I was blessed with a truckload of talented and dedicated teachers and a supportive community that knew long ago that its schools were its singular treasure.

I want my kids, and yours, to enjoy these many opportunities that are at the very heart of this town we love.

It's time for all of us who feel this way to step up to the plate and knock one out of the park.