In these continuing hard economic times, it is important that we think very carefully about how we spend our money.

There is no more important investment in our future than education for our community's children, especially in an increasingly competitive world.

That brings us to the Highline School District's education programs renewal levy. Voters should have received their ballots in the mail by now. The ballots must be returned in this mail-only election by Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Sadly, the state does not truly fund the kind of basic education our kids need now. About 80 percent of the Highline levy would go to pay teachers and support staff. The rest will go for textbooks, bus transportation and operating schools.

This is a replacement for the levy that expires this year. The expiring levy raised $140 million over four years. This one is a $188 million four-year levy.

When the state Legislature slashed basic education last year, lawmakers allowed local districts to ask their communities for more money to make up a small portion of the cuts.

It's also an increase in the estimated levy rate from the previous $2.82 per $1,000 of assessed home value to $3.44 for the first three years and $3.52 for the last year, The district estimates the average homeowner will pay about $14 more per month for the replacement levy.

With home prices in this area down about 15 percent, comparing levy rates can be confusing. What's important is the total amount of the levy. The district cannot collect any more than the stated amount. This levy would collect $46 million in 2012 and 2013, $47 million in 2014 and $49 million in 2015.

That total amount is divided among the district's properties. If your home value goes down, your levy rate will go up but you will be still pay the same share. If your home value goes up, your rate per $1,000 will go down but you will still be paying the same total.

As the last of the schools funded by the construction bond are finished, homeowners will get a small break on the bond portion of their school taxes. District staffers estimate taxpayers will pay 6 cents less per $1,000 of assessed value.

Remember, "levies are for learning, bonds are for building." This levy is not a vote on building more schools.

We should expect that public agencies prioritize their spending like we have had to do in our families.

The Highline School District has already cut its budget by $14.5 million in the past three years and faces more mid-year decreases of up to $2.1 million. State aid has plummeted and is expected to go down even further.

Administrators say the levy would fund 250 teachers and support staff. If it fails, other possible cuts are shortening the school day, eliminating courses, increasing class size, limiting after school activities and athletics and restricting the community's use of school buildings. Closing the district's outdoor education program at Camp Waskowitz would eliminate something that makes this district special and binds together with a common memory successive generations who have attended Highline schools.

The demographics in Highline schools have changed during those generations. But we know that our kids can succeed in school. We know that education is more important than ever. However, we shouldn't kid ourselves that it will be easy or we can do it on the cheap.

Failure of the levy would wipe out one-quarter of the district's already shrunken budget. Public education in Highline would be devastated.

The Robinson newspapers have always supported public education. We urge you to mail your ballot in by Tuesday, Feb. 8 and to vote yes on Highline's replacement levy.