“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another” -- G.K. Chesterton.

Fountain Hills is rich in generations and I submit that we share a collective obligation to our youngest citizens to demonstrate our strong community values.

I admit to having a complex interest in Fountain Hills Unified School District -- I am a mother, a teacher, and a taxpayer. I write today as a mother and a taxpayer -- please vote yes twice.

First, vote yes for the budget override. Ensure that my daughter, and the other 2,000 plus/minus students of the district, will have the opportunity to learn in reasonably uncrowded classrooms -- nothing fancy -- but extremely critical to all these budding taxpayers. Remember, their futures determine the robustness of our future economy.

The override partially supports the budget portion that pays teachers and voting yes to renew will help classroom sizes withstand the chronic state cuts that occur as our enrollment decreases, mirroring the aging of our town.

As a taxpayer, along with my husband, I have a very healthy interest in any and all situations that affect the value of our home. Even Fountain Hills residents who have no direct academic ties to our schools share the fiscal benefit of a highly ranked, well maintained school. Vote yes. The FHUSD school bond represents funding for, among other things, all the bricks, mortar, and physical systems that make our school buildings attractive and valuable neighbors.

One day, when the economy has recovered, we might follow the suggestion of a writer last week, but few conscionable stewards would consider selling school property for “one-time cash” in the current economic climate.

Please vote yes twice and make this modest investment our next generations.