Public schools are part of the fabric of our community

A recent issue of our newpaper, you may have noticed, was dedicated to our Public School District.
The district is one of the city’s most valuable jewels. It’s an institution that has boasted of educational excellence for generations. And it’s where all cultures of the city meet.
It’s been that way for generations, and it’s no wonder the high school’s team name is called the Cosmos – short for Cosmopolitans.
Our district is truly a melting pot of ethnicities, and the students who attend schools here benefit greatly from that experience. In short, we are the world, and anyone who experiences that kind of upbringing will be ready for the world.
You can’t get that kind of life experience anywhere else.
With this in mind, it’s important to make sure the public schools remain financially solvent. The district is coming out of a budget deficit thanks to some very smart planning by our school officials and school superintendent, Tom Niczay.
That’s why we need to keep the ball rolling, so to speak, and support a school millage renewal that will appear on the Aug. 4 ballot.
Unfortunately, there are some folks out there plotting to destroy our public schools in order to allow the encroaching charter schools to take over. These folks, who work behind the scenes and spread anonymous claims, are falsely telling folks they will save money if they defeat the millage.
That is simply not true for the average voter. Only those who own rental dwellings and commercial buildings will realize a savings.
All of our property values depend on a strong public school district.
By supporting our schools you essentially support the value of your own house. Vote YES this Aug. 4 for the school millage renewal.
Anyone who tells you that you will save money by voting this millage down is a liar. For the average homeowner, this millage will cost you nothing – nothing.
If you vote against it, you are voting against secure property values and your house will end up being worth far less. So in the long run, you will lose money by voting this millage down.
Don’t let the liars win this election.