endorsements
from the mead community
I am writing this letter in support of the upcoming levy to support the Mead School District.
I have two children that go to schools within the district, and I cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we are of the work done by Mead schools to support students and families.
From the moment we enrolled our oldest daughter into Evergreen Elementary School we knew we were in the best place for her. My children have had the opportunity to participate in art, music, sport and STEM activities that have been instrumental in providing them with a well-rounded educational experience.
Both of my daughters have thrived in the Mead School District and as a family, we believe that education is paramount in building a prosperous future for our community and our country.
Ana Hopkins
Mead Parent & Owner, Ana Hopkins Photography
As a businessman, volunteer and parent of three kids who experienced the Mead School District, I’ve always been impressed with their commitment to academic enrichment.
Mead understands that these kids become the future of our communities and preparing them to lead the way is at the core of their mission. It’s imperative we do everything we can to ensure they have the resources they need to do just that.
Tyler Lafferty
Business owner & mead parent
As a grandparent of five, three of whom attend Mead schools, I support the upcoming levy as a way to ensure continued quality education for our district’s students. We have lived in the Mead district for over 30 years and have directly enjoyed the benefits of the district during the years our kids attended, and now see the benefits for our grandkids. As a homeowner in the district, and one who has been supportive of and close to our public school funding efforts in the past, I know that our property values directly reflect the quality of the educational program the district provides.
We are blessed in the region to have uniformly high quality public education and it serves our region well as those from outside the area consider a relocation to Spokane. If you are moving here and have kids, your first question to the realtor is about school district choices and quality. Let’s continue to keep the Mead District at the top of the list for realtors’ recommendations. At Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI), our community’s business development organization, we say that Together, we build, champion and retain a talented workforce for the region. Let’s continue to work together to make that happen, starting with our support of our own school district.
Our kids and grandkids need and deserve our support. Please join me in voting YES for the Mead levy.
Tom Johnson
President/CEO, STCU (Retired)
Past Board Chair, GSI (2019)
I am writing this testimonial in support of the upcoming Mead School District levy.
My husband and I are both Mead High School alumni and have had a fabulous school experience when we were younger. We now get to send our two children to elementary school in the Mead School District.
We will continue to support the Mead School District in any way possible because it will impact many friends and neighbors, but also my own family. The District does an exceptional job balancing emotional and physical growth along with educational progress. The teachers and staff members care very much about each student. The community that is created in the classroom, in the school, and in the district will be one of the reasons we will continue to support Mead. The administration is always willing to listen and put value on my thoughts and concerns.
Please join me in voting YES for the upcoming levy.
Jenny Schneider
Mead Parent
We are the parents of a second-grader at Meadow Ridge Elementary, and 11 year residents of the Mead School District. Even before we had our child we recognized that there was something special about Mead, and now we have seen why first hand.
We have been very impressed by the quality and commitment of all the teachers and staff, and believe this is a school district we can be proud of. The STEM programs, music and sports are all very important to the students and to a well-rounded education and school experience. The special ed teachers and counselors that will continue to be funded are an absolute necessity for ensuring each child gets the best opportunity to succeed.
It is our belief that the district has been a careful and thoughtful steward of our tax dollars, and in these times of uncertain funding from state and federal sources, it is imperative we fund the schools appropriately. We shudder to think of the budget cuts and class size issues some school districts have had to contend with. We believe Mead students deserve better.
This is not a new tax, it just seeks to renew an existing levy that is set to expire. When comparing school districts in the region, Mead is actually one of the least expensive for property owners.
We hope you will join us on February 9th in voting YES for Mead schools.
Doug & Jennifer Koenig
mead parents
As a proud Mead parent and PTO board member at Farwell Elementary School, I am asking you to vote yes on the levy this February.
If there is one thing that sets our district apart from any other school district, it is our commitment to the individual education of each student. Mead does not let students fall through the cracks. This commitment to excellence in education is what drew us to the area and has kept us here.
Our district values students who are achieving at every level, whether low or high and provides programs for every type of learner and interest. Our athletics, music, STEM, and special education programs are vital to our district but we can’t do any of this without funding.
When you vote yes on the levy, your tax dollars directly support local children and their education. We have a reputation in Washington as one of the best districts, with high academic achievement and small class sizes.
Erin Smith
Mead Parent
Farwell PTO Fundraising Coordinator
Upon moving to the Spokane area from Montana in 1981, the realtors we contacted all said the Mead School District was definitely the best place to live! Nearly 40 years history living here has proved them right.
Both our daughters graduated from Mead High which prepared them well for their college experience and for excellent employment after that. I actually worked for the District at Mead High as a para-educator in the late 80’s, and we have many friends who are on staff or retired from Mead. And now, two of our grandchildren attend Midway and Northwood. They are growing stronger each year in academics and character, partially due to their teachers and strong curriculum, even in these difficult pandemic times.
Through the years, I have always felt that the policies established and taxes levied by the board and administration were well-considered and sound, always with the best interest of students, staff and taxpayers in mind. We have a levy vote coming up in February for consideration by residents, so it’s time to read up, ask questions, discuss concerns and cast our vote. This levy is important because it continues local support that our district needs for extracurricular activities, nurses and mental health. Mead has provided outstanding programs for our community for decades, so let’s keep that going!
We all enjoy excellent resale value on our homes in the Mead District due to the quality of our schools, just one more reason we need to vote for continuation of great education for our neighborhoods.
Richard & Lois Legerski
mead district residents
As a long time Mead parent, I’m proud to support the current renewal levy. Mead has led the way, being the largest district in the state to offer the option for kids to be back in school this year. They did what few have done, with the community in mind. I’m glad to continue to support the Mead School District with local levy dollars.
Scott Wetzel
President & CEO
WINDERMERE SERVICES MOUNTAIN WEST
I cannot express how pleased I am with the Mead School District as a whole, let alone how wonderful their mental health and special education departments are.
As a mental health therapist, I understand the importance of mental health support for children in times that are so uncertain. Mead offers mental health counseling in their schools as well as a psychologist on staff to assist when needed. Some children do not feel comfortable talking to their parents about their mental health needs and these services in the school offer an outlet for them to express their emotions and identify their struggles surrounding their feelings. These positions are absolutely essential to our students and cannot be removed from our schools.
Just as important as mental health, are the special education programs for those children who need it. Not all children can function in a traditional classroom and therefore need to be in these classrooms where their education and learning can be addressed on a individual basis with IEP’s and/or 504 plans. Without these classrooms, our children who need special education, will not get it and will not perform well in a traditional classroom.
I feel it is imperative that this levy pass and I support the Mead School District 100% in their efforts to provide individual services to our children who need it.