Dear Editor:

This letter will serve as a strong endorsement of both the M & O four-year levy and the Capital Levy for Technology and School Improvements, on the ballot for Feb. 14. As a retired WSU professor (15 years in the College of Veterinary Medicine and 12.5 years in the College of Agriculture), I have had the unique opportunity to have former Dayton students and sons and daughters of former Dayton students in my classes over the years. In addition, over the past 4 years of my retirement, I have been privileged to assist some of your elementary teachers in promoting reading skills amongst your children. Not only have I taught your graduates, but also I have been involved in very young students learning. In this latter position, I have observed the remarkable teaching skills of the Dayton elementary teachers. This community is indeed fortunate to have such dedicated and talented teachers and students. Further, we need to support these students and teachers both financially and intellectually.

The passage of this levy is just the first step, if Dayton's graduates are to prosper in this 21st Century. The world is changing at a rapid pace and our main competition for jobs and industries will not only be here in the U.S. but also in Europe, China, India and Japan. The world in which we currently live already demands that all students get an excellent high school education, and that every high school graduate will need to pursue education beyond high school if they are to be successful in the future. The passage of this levy will continue to keep class size small, offer Advanced Placement classes and other special classes and promote upgrading of the school's technology in order that Dayton's children may compete with the rest of the world in this new century. Without that support, Dayton's graduates will not be able to compete with other nations graduates.

Therefore, I urge all Dayton residents to vote and to vote for passage of this four-year levy, for it is an investment in our children and our nation.

R. Wes Leid Dayton, WA