Vote ‘yes’ for education

There are two ballot measures in Santa Cruz County for the Nov. 3 election that are no-brainers in our estimation and should be passed.

The first is the Nogales Unified School District No. 1 proposal to extend a maintenance and operations budget override.

The original override was approved nine years ago. The voters in their wisdom decided not to let the district resort to cutting out crucial programs for our children and to help maintain competitive teacher salaries. It was a textbook case of grassroots support of local education. A “yes” vote simply continues that funding. It does not imply an increase in property taxes.

The money pays for such things as intervention to help students maximize their potential; after-school tutoring; drug-awareness and bullying education for fifth-graders; art education through Young Audiences performances and workshops; international baccalaureate courses; and music and athletic programs.

Next is a Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District No 35 referendum to become part of a Joint Technical Education District in partnership with Pima County.

The “JTED” is intended to offer students technical and vocational training opportunities that would otherwise not be available locally and invites students from other districts to take advantage of those programs that are or will be offered here, such as agriculture; law enforcement; Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and sports medicine/pharmacology; accounting and business management; culinary arts and education professions.

Students must test out to participate in the programs and once successfully completed, some of the courses will offer dual credits for high school and college.

It would cost most homeowners in the district about $7.50 per year, a small price to pay when you are talking about a program that will potentially provide students with a solid foot in the door to their futures.

As with anything, there are glitches and concerns regarding both referendums. But the pros outweigh the cons. The glitches and concerns can and should be addressed so as not to throw the babies out with the bathwater.

Vote “yes” on both referendums. Vote “yes” for education.

(Write us at 268 W. View Point Dr., Nogales, Ariz., 85621 or manuel.coppola@nogalesinternational.com.)