In next week's vote on school operating money, there are numerous items at stake: textbooks, adequate bus service, semi-adequate staffing for schools. There's also a message that will be sent about whether Seattle supports its children, families and schools.

With 24 percent of Seattle Public Schools' budget at stake Feb. 6, the local tax levy essentially goes into every service. If the district fails to get the required 60 percent supermajority, voters will have shown a lack of will to provide even the most essential help on a day-to-day basis.

Then, parents would be forced to gear up to support a last-ditch campaign for a spring vote, while understanding the risks to their children's educations. Parents with the means would look at moving or transferring children to private schools.

Any vote shortfall might have the benefit of creating momentum for legislative efforts to end the antiquated requirement for 60 percent approval of school taxes. But the negative fallout would be wide-ranging, from the extra time and money put into a second election to the prospect of scaring off extraordinary candidates for superintendent.

A failure of the capital bond measure wouldn't have quite as immediate effects, but it would be stinging as well. Even as some schools close, the district needs to continue improving facilities.

The state finances schools so poorly that local levies are a necessity for all Puget Sound districts. Seattle students and schools need voter support.

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