Once in a while miracles do happen! A thousand dedicated volunteers gave their all to make one happen for the Encinitas Union School District when they brought home a landslide 76.71 percent victory in our recent bond election.

Now, why should that be a miracle? While a state bond requires a simple majority to pass, current law requires that local bonds need the support of nearly seven out of every ten votes. Those odds do require a miracle!

Our school district was lucky. We had a grass roots revolution. Our community said, "We want more for our kids and our neighborhoods than aging facilities can provide." And our school board had the courage to take on the challenge!

We decided to make it a people-to-people campaign. A "full court press" was launched by volunteers to educate voters on our needs and the value of good schools to everyone. Education and hard work inevitably pays off—and that’s the lesson that was modeled by our volunteers for our children!

Our hearts are full of gratitude to the self-sacrificing community and staff volunteers who made countless phone calls to voters, walked precincts, stuffed envelopes and held fundraisers. They are truly the miracle workers!

Our business community came through for us, too. They donated cash, goods and services for the campaign. Coldwell Banker provided complete office facilities and phones for our campaign headquarters for three full months, with individual agents keeping their offices open every single evening for volunteers to work.

Responsible reporting and editorial support from our newspapers helped us achieve the important goal of educating citizens on the issues.

And we are, of course, deeply grateful to those voters who left busy lives and comfortable homes to get out and vote on Election Day.

The Board of Trustees and I are proud of the teamwork that made this election a success! And we’re proud to be a part of a community that has the wisdom to know that the quality of life we treasure here is closely tied to the quality of our schools.

Our thanks to all who turned wisdom into action this past year. Whether you volunteered for the bond election, served on the PTA Board, helped with school site council, worked in a classroom, assisted in the class play or served on a committee, you made a difference for our children! This issue is dedicated to you—our heroes!

The Board and I wish you and your family a wonderful, relaxing summer!

Sincerely,