Editor,

What a beautiful levy increase mailer from Oak Harbor School District. Our kids deserve a great education.

But I see that, with 600 new students, many of whom are Navy kids, the federal Impact Aid remains the same. And even before the 600 student increase, the Impact Aid paid — to make up for no property tax contribution from those students’ families living in federal housing — was far less than the local cost per student.

The impact fees are paid to our schools one to three years after the kids are taught.

I’d like to pay my fair share for a great education, but I’d like to see the feds pay their fair share too. The unfair burden is on the Oak Harbor property owner or renter in private housing to make up for the difference the feds aren’t paying. The feds should match the local cost per student.

What’s up with that?

Please correct this long-standing problem, U.S. senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Congressman Rick Larsen.

Tim Verschuyl

Oak Harbor