Recently, some friends and neighbors have shared per capita data about the cost per student at Lopez Island School. The short answer is, Yes, the cost per student is higher on Lopez, but not because the school is overspending. It’s a matter of economies of scale.

Island life, in general, costs more. With fewer students, the cost per student rises, even though we still face the same basic expenses as every other district: teachers, buses, facilities, and more. Small graduating classes simply make the per-student math look higher. That’s why, among neighboring islands, Lopez has been hit hardest by recent changes to state funding. We can’t change that equation—but we can create a Parks and Rec District that keeps local tax dollars working entirely on Lopez.

For perspective: Spokane has a $240 million levy on the November ballot at a rate that would cost our median property owner $15 per month. On Lopez, our levy will generate $826,000 in revenue for $21 per month. Different scales, same principle: communities chip in together to fund essentials.

Lopez Rec is our way of balancing the scale. Just as smaller class sizes make school funding look more expensive per student, a smaller tax base means we each pay a little more to support essentials. But when we chip in together, the return is enormous: programs that keep kids active, families connected, and neighbors of all ages engaged. This levy isn’t just about covering costs—it’s about making sure our whole community continues to thrive, even on a small island where the math looks different.