To the editor:

Thomas Jefferson reminds us that “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.”

Our youngest child graduated from Bainbridge High in 2008, well equipped to meet further academics with skills in critical thinking and thoughtful analysis. I am voting in favor of renewing the two levies on the Feb. 14 ballot because I want to keep our schools strong for the next generation of island students — our future citizens.

The educational programs and operations levy funds 22 percent of the district’s budget. Because the state does not yet fully fund basic education (see the McCleary decision), our school district relies on local levies to fill the gap between state funding and the actual costs of educating our students.

The technology levy provides the only dedicated funding the district receives for technology — the state does not provide funding.

For details about these two continuation levies, go to bipss.org, a website put together by island volunteers who passionately support public education.

And then please join me in voting “yes” for our schools on Feb. 14.

MARY CURTIS

Bainbridge Island