The upcoming levy is VERY important to our students, staff and community. To reiterate what you’ve already been reading/hearing, you are currently paying just over $4 per thousand and with a “yes” vote it will DROP almost half to just over $2 per thousand. And what’s important to know is IF the levy were to fail, we will NOT receive matching funds from the state so it’s a “double whammy” to the district.

When I was a sophomore here at LR, yes long ago, the levy failed. It’s been long enough now that people don’t remember the detrimental effects it had on our community. It would take me forever to explain the many negative issues it created, but the major ones were: job cuts, so more unemployed community members; junior high sports were eliminated completely, so more youth with nothing constructive/positive to do in the evenings; high school sports and clubs were cut back and what clubs/sports that were kept, came with a cost. Students had to pay expensive (for the times) “pay to participate” fees, and I can’t even imagine what those fees would have to be with today’s gas prices, etc. “Pay to participate” fees were easier for families with one child in high school, but if you had multiple, parents were left with tough decisions. Do I let my senior do 3 sports/multiple clubs and my other children none, or do I allow each child one? And those are probably decisions parents are already having to make at some degree. Again, more youth with too much time on their hands. And remember without extra-curricular activities, let’s face it, our area doesn’t offer much for our youth during the winter months. Also, after the failed levy, our community was asked to sponsor kids and support constant fundraisers, so they ended up paying in the end.

Our youth have already suffered enough from the results of COVID and are still recovering, so PLEASE don’t let this happen, especially when we have things going in the right direction. Our staff and students have been working hard. Recently, we started a Knowledge Bowl Team, Rock Band Club, Sign Language Club and our FBLA is going strong allowing Kaitlyn Nordine to compete (along with other LR students) and qualify for FBLA Nationals in Chicago. We had 9 seniors graduate with their AA degrees from Wenatchee Valley College; we’ve got WSU bringing the TRiO Upward Bound program back; 7 of our 12 Varsity Teams were WIAA Academic Award teams with a team cumulative GPA of 3.0 and better or 3.5 and better; we were the ONLY school in the state to have 3 winter sports teams compete at state with our Wrestling team placing 3rd and 2 Individual State Champs, Rodger Cate & Colton Jackson; Softball was District Champs; 3 of our 5 Spring Sports had state competitors (Terek Bush-Golf, Carly Neddo-Track & Softball Team). We had multiple All League Recipients along with Girls Basketball Co-Player of the Year Audrey Hansen, Softball Player of the Year Emma Marchand, Boys Basketball Coach of the Year Coach Crollard; Softball Coach of the Year Coach G; Tennis Coach of the Year Coach Monroe; and Athletic Director of the Year Mr. Rasmussen. I don’t remember having that many accolades in one year, during my 33 working or school years at LR.

Through my experience, nothing good comes from a failed levy, so let’s keep supporting our staff and students’ success with a “YES” vote. Please check your mail, those important ballots should be coming soon. We have amazing students and staff that need and deserve our support.

Thank you,

Lisa Carlson

In addition, some have questioned my retirement, and I want people to know that I LOVE our students and staff and would definitely be staying if my family and grandsons didn’t need me.