To Edmonds School District officials and members of the School Board,

As members of the broad and diverse community served by the Edmonds School District, we wish to register our distress at the pending cuts to arts and music programs. You, as educators, know as well as we do that art, music, drama and other arts are vital to a full educational experience. This is not merely our heartfelt conviction; it is a fact supported by rigorous research.

For example, a recent large scale randomized controlled study by Brookings in 42 Houston schools found that students in arts programs had significantly fewer disciplinary infractions, significantly better writing scores, and elevated compassion for others compared to the control groups.

We do understand that schools today face competing priorities and serious financial pressures.

Largest Annual Spike in Public School Spending in Over 20 Years

Average U.S. public school spending per pupil in elementary and secondary schools rose 8.9% to $15,633 in fiscal year (FY) 2022 from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Annual Survey of School System Finances data.

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We, and others in the community, are prepared to support the continuation of vital arts education, and the retention of dedicated and valuable teaching staff, while the district works through its budget difficulties. But we expect, and insist, that the schools we are committed to support with our dollars and our votes plan to restore funding of these invaluable arts programs as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Edmonds School District parents and citizens committed to saving the arts,

Deborah Brandi
Dr. Jack Faris
Joe DeMiero
Kathy Liu
Daniel Johnson
Ryan Crowther
Nancy Ekrem
Erika Barnett
Nate Omdal
Jonathan Gipaya
Dee Daniels
Brett Holt
Carolyn Harvey
Daniel & Jennifer Castle
Paul Burton
Tara Fly
George Smith
Kim Siegrist
Tiffany Hanson
Deborah McCarthy
Jennifer Coons
Mark Coons
Jacob Coons
Nathan Coons
Dave Whiteman
Maya Hemachandra
Scott Johnson
Jennifer Tait
Thera & Joshua Knapp
Rick Steves
Jeremey Shultz
Margaret Shultz
Paul Burton
Michael & Bonnie Britt
Leah Jones
Michele Grant
Rae Ann Walthers
April Kaivo
Erica Dearstyne
Kristen Ho
Taj Isono
Michelle Gordon
Kim Varner
Erich Simmons
Emiko Burns
Kimberly Lee
Kristina Jipson
Dennis & Charlene Handa
Darin Faul
Vince DeMiero
Dennis & Charlene Handa
Rachel Powell
Kathy Henning
Michael Williams
Desmond Williams
Maysy Williams
Angela Johnston
Sarah Richàrd
Linda Grez
Rebecca & Shaun Hulbert
Lynn & Frank Blosser
Katrina Paulette Navarro
Jessica Brady
Sharon Ryder
Toni Bosman
Melissa & Tim Reed
Jenine Rittierodt
Chelsea Stanciu
Sally Ralston
Rachael & John Garrette
Deirdre K. & Raven Mimura
David Gravender
Synnove Tusvik Johnson
Shannon & Shane McDowell
Jeanette Green
Candy & Charlie Gaul
Carrie Bulmer-King
Steve Treseler
Lynn C. Treseler
Georgi Jenkins
Lynda Gable
Robin Rousu
Mike Byers
Nathan Irby
Emily Jeffers
Bryan & Zoe Manzo
Sarah Phin
Sherry Chitwood
Mike Hayford
Will Harvey
Ami Samuels
Karl & Shawna Bogren
Kendra Anderson
Vicki Lockhart
Linaya Bunbury Matt & Sarah Rudberg
Sheryl Copeland
Ryan Copeland
Reese Copeland
Kandra Miller
Andy Roben
Sophie Roben
Jack Roben
Chad James
Charles James
Cascadia Youth Symphony
Leah Park
Traci Thorpe
Tjelle Johnson
Susie Cover
Maria Patricia Espinoza Landa
Maria Lourdes Espinoza Landa
Diorella Soriano
Fanta Sillah
Tara Fly
Agi VanHorn
Matt VanHorn
Siana VanHorn
Nikolai VanHorn
Patti Case
Rachel Yoder
Audrey Choe
Chris Choe
Rebecca L Felman
Janet Pope
Lauren Park
Randa Zaitz
Dave Dolacky
Angie Acheson
Jennifer Thomas

Op-Ed DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.