Our family has lived in Fountain Hills for the past 18 years. Our only son, Lucas, has attended the Fountain Hills public schools for all 13 years (since Kindergarten in 2001). Our son is now a junior at the University of Arizona.

My wife, Laura, and I comprehend and fully concur with the desire for, and absolute need for, the Maintenance and Operations override for our schools that will be voted on by the Fountain Hills taxpayers on Nov. 7. We have studied this need extensively and understand why our Fountain Hills public schools desire this override.

This will essentially be a continuation of an override that has been supported by our Fountain Hills voters since 1999. Funds from this override will provide desperately needed components such as: Maintain all-day kindergarten, teacher salary increases, provide professional development, hire additional staff for reading literacy support, financially reward staff for outstanding performance and enable the District to maintain its award-winning programs.

We strongly encourage that Fountain Hills voters approve of the continuation of this override for the benefit of our students, teachers, administrators and parents of our wonderful Fountain Hills public schools.

With gratitude to our thoughtful and considerate Fountain Hills residents.