Please vote yes and support Lake Washington School District measures on Feb. 11.

Why should you vote yes: simply put strong schools help create a strong community. I grew up in a town that didn’t support the schools and this city was always a step behind in reaching its potential. The schools weren’t as solid as they could be, families chose not to move there and businesses, restaurants and employment didn’t flourish.

Why did you choose Kirkland? Was it the thriving business community? Was it our healthy real estate market where you know you can sell your property when you want and at a good value? Then you want to ensure excellent schools that are fully funded. Our state meets only 64 percent of the funds required to run the district. If the Educational and Operations Levy fails our district will have to cut 22.5 percent of their operating budget. If the bond measure fails we won’t have room for the projected 4,000 new students joining our district in the next several years.

Bellevue and Northshore Districts support their schools; if we don’t homeowners will choose them over us and our community will not live up to its potential.

I am a parent with a son who has graduated from Lake Washington High School and a daughter attending there now. Please join me in voting yes on all three measures. Mail in your ballot today.

Sandy Helgeson, Kirkland