It’s a simple question, really. How well-educated do you want the child to be who may some day perform a surgery on your aging body? While the specifics will come from medical school, the basics have to come from somewhere, also.

Luckily, there’s a system in place to help him learn what he’ll need to know: North Kitsap schools. From reading, writing and arithmetic to teamwork during physical education classes, the school district is well-versed in teaching students and enriching students’ lives.

Unfortunately — and quite shamefully — the state does not adequately fund education, leaving some teachers’ salaries, computer equipment and even textbook needs to be left unmet. To bridge the funding gap, administrators and a team of volunteers are asking taxpayers to renew a four-year school levy during a special election. The ballots were mailed out this week.

The Herald’s advisory board met with North Kitsap School District superintendent Rick Jones and School Board President Tom Anderson last week to discuss the levy. At the end of the two-hour meeting, the consensus was clear: If this levy does not pass, the results will be financially catastrophic.

Before you vote, consider this:

• Based on assessed property value within the district, property owners will pay about $1.96 per $1,000 of assessed property value if the levy is approved.

• This is a replacement levy, it is not a new tax. The current levy ends at the end of this year. The proposed levy would begin next year.

• The proposed levy would run from 2011-15.

• Of the money collected, 56 percent would fund teachers and support staff salaries; 17 percent would go for textbooks, instructional materials, technology and special education services; 12 percent would fund transportation and the remainder would go to athletics, activities, safety and maintenance.

• Certain dollars must be earmarked for specific uses. For example, bond dollars raised for building improvements must be used for that purpose, while special education funds are only to be spent on special education, so the perception that there’s extra money anywhere in the budget does not ring true.

For those who say they have no children in the school district so they intend on voting no, we pose this question: Is it not the responsibility of the older generation to ensure children have a proper education? If you’re wondering what’s in it for you or why you should pay to educate someone else’s child, we reiterate: How well-educated do you want the child to be who may some day perform a surgery on your aging body?

Vote yes on the North Kitsap school levy. Strong schools and educated kids benefit everyone.