It’s estimated that property tax rates could rise by 25 percent — up 22 cents — by 2013. When education spending grows faster than the underlying economy, a budget crisis is inevitable.

We cannot sustain our spending levels without working together to make dramatic changes.

Consolidating school dis­tricts where it makes sense, bulk-purchasing, and similar measures can help. We must optimize the talents of our educators, and implement a strong program for profes­sional development. They deserve clear and attainable standards of accountability for student performance.

Our educators account for 70 percent of a school’s costs, but 100 percent of its success.

The $47.1 million in fed­eral funding just awarded to our state for internet expan­sion will bring untold oppor­tunity and a new level of equality to classrooms across our state, with distan­ce- learning, technical train­ing, virtual classrooms and more, by linking every school to high-capacity, high-speed, and affordable broadband. We also need comprehensive data systems to track achievement, so we know what works and what doesn’t.Education is about children. Quality must come first. We need to empower parents, and look to them to make the best decisions about their own children’s future. The only way we can meet our education chal­lenge is through partnership and trust, and by growing jobs and paychecks.

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