Help Spread the Word -- Local Option Committee Needs Help!

The Local Option provides nearly 10% of Sisters schools' funding. It is absolutely essential to pass if we are going to retain progress on funding classroom technology (Smartboards, Senteo clickers, document readers), smaller class sizes, buying up-to-date textbooks, foreign language and other academic electives, and co-curricular programs.

PLEASE COMMIT TO SPENDING TWO HOURS HELPING TO PASS THE LOCAL OPTION. The campaign committee is looking for people to man a table at Ray's and the post office, to canvass door-to-door, and to participate in morning drive-time Spirit Rallies. Contact Glen Lasken to sign up: glasken@bendbroadband.com or h) 549-0827 cell 410-2602.

Other great ways to support the campaign: wear a Renew Local Option button (I have a supply)...post a sign in your yard, if you have a high-traffic area (let me know if you want one)...talk to your neighbors about why you're voting yes, and how important it is for our community...hand out brochures (request some from Glen) and talk to people at football and other high school sports events.

Below are some key points, so you can talk knowledgeably about the issues. Remember these four biggies:

* The Local Option simply renews the levy already in place, at the same rate.

* The Local Option means better schools and successful students.

* Even in tough economic times, it's a smart investment we need to continue.

* Vote Yes on the Local Option for our schools, our kids, our future.

1. Local Option pays for: class sizes that are five to seven students smaller.up-to-date textbooks, technology and instructional materials.a wider range of language arts, math and science classes.more electives (standout programs in music, arts, drama, shop, etc.).competitive salaries so we get the best teachers.and co-curricular activities.

2. Even in tough economic times, we can't afford not to continue our support for Local Option. Sisters' schools are a key reason that our property values remain strong. Voting it down would save households very little money in the short term while having a long-lasting negative impact on our schools, our kids and our community. Once teachers and programs are cut, it would take a long time to restore them once a new Local Option measure is passed down the road.

3. LO first passed by voters in 2000, and renewed in 2004. It is not a new tax and the tax rate is the same as the last eight years: $0.75 per $1000 of assessed property value.

4. For the average household property assessed at $268,300, the Local Option amounts to about 55 cents per day.

5. LO is a big reason for our schools' successes:

. Sisters has one of the lowest dropout rates in the state.

. Sisters has the highest graduation rate in Central Oregon.

. 82% of Sisters students participate in extracurricular activities, reducing the number of at-risk students.

. Sisters topped all other Central Oregon school districts in the overall percentage of students who "met or exceeded" state assessment standards for writing, reading and math categories.

. Sisters was the only school district in Central Oregon in which all schools met federal assessment standards.

. Sisters has one of the highest percentage of National Merit Scholars of districts in Oregon.

Full details on the website at: www.sisterslocaloption.com