Letter to the editor: ‘Are we not paying attention?’

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express the deep concern over the May 14 article on the “first joint meeting between the City of Yelm and Yelm Community schools (YCS) since 2019” … since 2019.

It is alarming that city and district leaders have not met since 2019, especially while our schools — the heart of this community — have endured four consecutive levy failures.

The economic health of a community relies on overlapping governmental jurisdictions working together and having awareness for how one government’s challenges will impact the health and sustainability of the other government. That is, healthy schools are a primary decision point for families’ decision to move to a community, and it is shortsighted for Yelm to hang its hat on housing growth without realizing these goals are directly dependent on YCS being successful.

How can we continue to build housing project after housing project when our school system is on its knees, unable to sustain sports programs, busing, teachers and in some cases basic educational opportunities with the current school population? Are we not paying attention?

When the city and school district operate in isolation — revenue, economic growth, vital infrastructure and community services cannot be properly planned and thrive.

It is time for our local leaders to grow into the responsibilities that a community the size of Yelm requires. Simply caring for Yelm is not enough to lead Yelm into the future. Leaders need to be educated in public administration and planning development to successfully plan the vision required for a community of this size.

I urge the Yelm mayor and city council to immediately identify practices that ensure open collaboration and communication with the school board to ensure the best comprehensive success for Yelm moving forward.

Laura Bagnall
Roy