Every household is feeling the effects of higher gas and food prices, uncertain job stability, and more limited employment and other economic opportunities. We all worry about how the recession, wars, and state and federal budgets and deficits will affect our future, as well as our children's future.

But no matter how bad the current financial outlook may seem, our children must receive a quality and well-rounded education or our economy will be impacted. We must support passage of Measure W.

Even in such uncertain and dour economic periods, we must continue to invest in public education. I have lived through the high inflation of the early 1980s, the great economic upturn in the late 1980s, the steep drop in the real estate values in the early 1990s and the bull market of the early 2000s. Recovery from this current recession is predicted to start by the end of this year. Our economy will recover, but our educational programs may not if the district has to make severe cutbacks.

Consider why you live in Davis. It's the sense of place, an engaged community, where we care about our collective welfare and future. For that reason alone, there should be no disagreement that passage of Measure W is imperative. But perhaps as important, the quality of our public education program significantly enhances the value of our homes and our local economy.

It's just 33 cents a day so we can save our highly ranked educational program, as well as the jobs of 27 educators, most of whom live in Davis. The school board made a difficult decision asking voters to consider investing a little more for a short three-year period to preserve our existing academic programs. We should trust their leadership.
Last year the board cut $1.1 million from the district budget, which included eliminating five teaching positions and reducing administrative staffing. Even the Vanguard (http:// davisvanguard.blogspot.com) concluded that there was no fat to cut from the current budget without impacting the educational program.

I hope you consider the greater good of our community's future and our economy by voting yes on Measure W.

Carl Vandagriff