Almost a century ago, my grandparents only finished elementary school, but they found good jobs.  A high school education was like a college diploma at the time. Many students had to seek employment to help their families and couldn’t continue a high school education, much less consider the prospect of attending college.
 
Thirty-five years ago, a high school dropout in my hometown could get a good-paying job, even with benefits, with many major industries.   A college education would have been like a graduate degree back then.
 
These days, a high school diploma is an essential rung on life’s ladder.  The lack of a high school diploma means a higher likelihood of becoming homeless, a prisoner, a crime victim, or suffering from depression and mental illness.  Even for recent high school graduates, very few good jobs are available without additional college or vocational education.
 
A high school diploma is no longer a frill that only a few brighter kids attain.  Instead a solid, highly-ranked, and quality K-12 education is now an imperative to prepare every child for further future education.  Davis public schools have helped so many students from past generations to attain later successes in life.
 
The K-12 educational programs funded by Measure W are essential for our district to continue to offer Davis students a chance to reach their next step in life. For many of us, it was a solid education allowed us to rise above more modest beginnings.  Let’s keep that same opportunity open for our children.
 
Davis wins with Measure W!
 
Please vote Yes on Measure W on November 4th.

~ Hiram Jackson