I have an obvious vested interest in supporting Measure W with three, school-age children in my household who will be in Davis schools until 2020.

If you have kids in Davis schools, keeping the high standards that our schools offer for only $10 a month seems like a pretty easy choice. Or perhaps you have grown children, who benefited from parcel taxes in the past, and you want to keep Davis schools programs strong.

But even if you don't think you have any connection to Davis schools, you really do. Davis schools' performance is a huge reason why our property values in this town are so good and have weathered the economic downturn better than other communities. I would wager that the terrific Davis schools contribute to the low crime rate in our town as well. Davis' schools are an integral part of our community, and as a college town, education is our "business."

The biggest reason that I am supporting Measure W is that I believe in quality public education. If the state government won't fund education properly then the electorate should help. It's unfortunate that our state, the world's 8th largest economy, has put such a low value on education, but that's how it's been for many years, and it's not looking like that will change in the foreseeable future. Our per-pupil spending lags so far behind other communities similar to ours (inside and outside California) that it's jaw-dropping.

Music, science, librarians and smaller class size are not frills. This
is a good measure that ensures that the high quality in the Davis public schools can continue for the next few years. Please support Measure W on November 4th.

Barbara Archer
Davis