DEAR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Please support the education of our children. Repealing the voter-approved 1.09% Our programs complement our At a time when our nation is deeply sales tax would devastate our schools. vision to prepare students as responsible citizens in our free republic. Our core curriculum, trades, college courses, arts, interventions, civics and more have community support to develop this next generation of responsible citizens. troubled, this funding cut severely hampers these goals. Retaining it honors voters and supports WPSD children with opportunities to successfully compete in a 21st century global economy. The sales tax was voted in by 60% of our electorate, a clear majority of voters, who prioritized our children's future. It reduces property taxes and mitigates the burden on our fixed income, elderly and business community members, paid in part by visiting tourists. This sales tax is a backbone of WPSD school funding. Its repeal will cause a swift and severe impact to all six district schools, including 1,800 students and 400 staff. According to WPSD, Council's repeal of this funding means cutting staff, reducing salaries, devastating district operations, and crippling student programs in all six schools. We can speak directly to Merit Academy's programs. Merit Academy has over 400 students and 80 staff. Our children deserve interventions, programming, and staff to achieve The sales tax enables these this goal. They deserve the support programs. of the Council and Board of Education with the voter-approved sales tax. Merit Academy is the second largest school in the 4-district, 15-school area. In our third year, we have over 200 students on our waitlist. Our students are your neighbors. Our parents and staff are your friends, coaches, and co-workers. Families within our District schools seek education that crafts a successful and healthy life, full of goodness for our children. That education may look different for different students at different schools, but the goal is the same. On behalf of all WPSD students with their futures in front of them, do not strip this much-needed educational funding. Consider the impact a partially-funded educational system has on our local economy, job market and attractiveness to future residents. Please check your bearings. Support the voters' choice for a healthy community - keep the sales tax. Sincerely, The Merit Academy Board of Directors DEAR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS Please support the education of our children . Repealing the voter - approved 1.09 % Our programs complement our At a time when our nation is deeply sales tax would devastate our schools . vision to prepare students as responsible citizens in our free republic . Our core curriculum , trades , college courses , arts , interventions , civics and more have community support to develop this next generation of responsible citizens . troubled , this funding cut severely hampers these goals . Retaining it honors voters and supports WPSD children with opportunities to successfully compete in a 21st century global economy . The sales tax was voted in by 60 % of our electorate , a clear majority of voters , who prioritized our children's future . It reduces property taxes and mitigates the burden on our fixed income , elderly and business community members , paid in part by visiting tourists . This sales tax is a backbone of WPSD school funding . Its repeal will cause a swift and severe impact to all six district schools , including 1,800 students and 400 staff . According to WPSD , Council's repeal of this funding means cutting staff , reducing salaries , devastating district operations , and crippling student programs in all six schools . We can speak directly to Merit Academy's programs . Merit Academy has over 400 students and 80 staff . Our children deserve interventions , programming , and staff to achieve The sales tax enables these this goal . They deserve the support programs . of the Council and Board of Education with the voter - approved sales tax . Merit Academy is the second largest school in the 4 - district , 15 - school area . In our third year , we have over 200 students on our waitlist . Our students are your neighbors . Our parents and staff are your friends , coaches , and co - workers . Families within our District schools seek education that crafts a successful and healthy life , full of goodness for our children . That education may look different for different students at different schools , but the goal is the same . On behalf of all WPSD students with their futures in front of them , do not strip this much - needed educational funding . Consider the impact a partially - funded educational system has on our local economy , job market and attractiveness to future residents . Please check your bearings . Support the voters ' choice for a healthy community - keep the sales tax . Sincerely , The Merit Academy Board of Directors