This is why I am changing from no to yes.

That’s right, my initial response to our school district asking us to pass a leeway that raises taxes, was no. Just like a lot of you, my property taxes have been raised substantially, and not all because of the bond for the new school, but also because of re-evaluations of property. I was in shock to learn my position as a teacher was taking another 4 percent cut on top of an already 6 percent cut I received at the beginning of the year because the state legislators cut our budgets. Plus, I have lost insurance benefits, unless I want to pay to keep my family enrolled.

Now, they want me to pay more in taxes along with all the other cuts? I was furious! Why did I have to suffer for administrative mistakes? Thank goodness for the immediate action of our local Grand Education Association, and the help from the Utah Education Association. They mobilized us and began to listen. I wanted answers! So, meetings, meetings, meetings! I listened, asked questions, and got involved with committees.

The school board and superintendent also took action. Even though there is still an ongoing investigation, they secured a distressed status with the Utah State School Board, which allowed us to move restricted funds into other funds. They worked to find explanations and presented them. I now feel I have a basic understanding.

I am involved with a committee that is making some suggestions on cuts to be made in activities. This is where I began to change my mind! I became aware of a larger picture! This involves the children directly! This is where the community will see the most immediate impact. This is where I begin to see the students, my own senior, my elementary-aged son and daughter, my nieces and nephews, my cousins’ children, my neighbors, and my own classroom. Everything they look forward to, the reason they keep their grades up, the niche they need to find, the closeness and success they will feel doing something that others like them are passionate about, the opportunities to develop leadership, and bond with others, the traditions, and the community gatherings,

All in jeopardy of being cut!

Now I begin to envision my second-grade classroom, where the struggling students will tune out in a classroom of 30, and where small group instruction and interventions will be gone. How will I meet the federal government’s adequate yearly progress?

It comes down to this; the children will bear a lot of the repercussions of having no new money to continue what we have already in place. That is why I have changed my mind and will vote Yes!

—Raye Lyne Robertson

Moab