With only an education and a strong work ethic I moved to the United States as an almost penniless immigrant 16 years ago, living the past 12 years in Solvang. As a naturalized U.S. citizen I can truly testify that the American Dream is still alive and well because of two reasons: public education and the First Amendment. It is the First Amendment that allows me to express my support of Measure K, and it’s the strength and vibrancy of this great country, built on the foundation of the public education system, that allowed me to achieve the American Dream.
When we decided to move from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, I chose to make the Santa Ynez Valley my home purely because of the excellence of Santa Ynez High School in the valley, notwithstanding the fact that my daughter was only in first grade. Excellent elementary schools are more common, excellent high schools are not. Santa Ynez High School has provided my daughter an education that rivals anything that I have seen.
Public education is very important to me having been educated in both First- and Third-World countries. Sound infrastructure (electrical, fire alarm system, underground piping, and roofing) allow teachers to focus on the business of excellent instruction in a safe environment for students. The students in turn are able to focus on learning. The community gets a high-use, one-of-a-kind recreational and community center that is ready to meet the needs of the next generation.
I have appreciated how the school district has been getting factual information to the public in various forms. The mailers, fliers, town hall meetings, the Santa Ynez High School website, and one-on-one conversations let the public make the best decision without the “vote yes” pressure. This information helped me to determine that Measure K will cost me only $1.90 per week (the price of my morning cup of coffee at El Rancho) on the assessed value of my home, and allowed me to make an informed decision about Measure K.
Next year my daughter will no longer be a student at Santa Ynez High School but I am willing to support Measure K. The future students of this school ensure my daughter’s future success, the future success of this wonderful country and beautiful valley that I live in.
Please vote yes on Measure K.
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2016.