We all pay, one way or another.

Working with young people across Pend Oreille County has taught us that cost does not vanish just because it is delayed. When support is missing early, it shows up later, in heavier ways, for kids, for families, and for the community as a whole. Bonds and levies do not decide whether there is a cost. They decide how we carry it.

Pend Oreille Sports Association exists to support youth development, not just through sports, but through the environments that allow young people to grow with confidence and stability. Schools are central to that work, whether or not someone has children enrolled.

In February, Newport voters will decide on a school bond and a replacement levy. POSA supports both.

The levy funds services the state does not fully provide, counselors, nurses, career and technical education, and class sizes that allow teachers to know their students. When these supports are reduced, kids are still expected to succeed. They just do it with fewer tools and less margin. Over time, the strain spreads outward.

The bond addresses the reality of an aging high school facility. Buildings wear out. Systems fail. Learning spaces fall behind. Deferring maintenance does not save money or preserve options. It passes the problem forward and asks students and teachers to absorb the impact in the meantime.

Through youth sports, we see what happens when adults make intentional investments. Kids step into them. Confidence grows. Expectations rise. When investment is inconsistent or delayed, kids adapt, but adaptation is not the same as opportunity.

This vote is not about whether we contribute. It is about whether we do so deliberately, with planning and care, or react later under pressure.

POSA believes supporting the bond and levy is a responsible step toward a stronger future for Newport and Pend Oreille County.

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Pend Oreille Sports Association
Newport, Washington

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