The mill levy override (MLO) and school bond (bond) are investments that will pay dividends to everyone.

The MLO and bond are investments in the community. The first question from families moving into an area is “what about the schools?” A quality education system attracts companies with jobs and middle-class families with disposable income to Douglas County. Who has more discretionary income to spend in your shop, a techie or a food-service worker? Do you want good medical care nearby as you age? Having good schools supports a vibrant economy so doctors and medical specialists want to base their practices here. Good schools help make Douglas County a desired place to live. Even if your kids go to private schools, you still live in the community. What kind of community do you want to live in?

The MLO and bond are investments in children. The quality of education directly affects graduates’ ability to compete in the job market, obtain high-paying jobs, and shoulder a larger portion of the tax burden. A poorer education adversely affects students’ ability to compete, resulting in lower paying (possibly minimum wage) jobs. Lower earnings mean older cohorts (you and I) will retain a greater share of the costs of government.

The MLO and bond are fiscally conservative and responsible. Preventative maintenance is more cost-effective than deferred maintenance. Do you regularly maintain your car or skip maintenance until it dies? Building necessary new schools gives taxpayers a tangible return (infrastructure) for tax dollars instead of burning dollars as fuel for bussing.

If both the MLO and bond are passed, the cost will be $20 on every $100,000 of assessed value of your home. So, if you have a million — dollar home, the cost would be $200 per year. If your home value is less, the cost to you will be less.

Now, $200 feels like a lot of money. I remember buying a loaf of bread for 10 cents. Gasoline was 25 cents a gallon. Yes, back then, $200 was a lot of money. Today, $200 is half a cup of coffee at Starbucks each week. Compared to the investment in kids, our schools, and our community and the dividends we’ll get back, $200 is negligible.

What’s more important to you: a half cup of coffee at Starbucks each week or our kids and community? Vote yes on the MLO and school bond.

Michael Burmeister, Highlands Ranch