We must fund education first

Frankly, it is unjust that all children in our state do not have equal access to a quality public education [“Kindergarten fees may jump 15 percent,” NWTuesday, Feb. 22]. Research has proved the importance of full-day kindergarten and yet many districts are unable to provide it (even to students who qualify for free lunch) without a monthly fee. Why doesn’t the Legislature require and fund full-day kindergarten in our state? Don’t we want our students to gain the skills and knowledge required to be successful into tomorrow’s workforce?

What’s really frightening is the fact that many children are entering kindergarten unprepared to learn. These kids end up consuming valuable instruction time and require additional special services. Did you know that they are also less likely to graduate from high school and are more likely to run into trouble with the law?

Personally, I’d rather have my tax dollars fund a high-quality education that begins with preschool and full-day kindergarten instead of paying for more prisons.

It’s time we send a message to our elected officials and demand that our children receive the education our Constitution requires. We must fund education first.

— Nicole Erickson, Monroe