To the editor:

As a proud member of the Mehlville-Oakville community, I encourage residents of the Mehlville School District to show up to the polls to vote yes on Proposition E on April 4..

Of the 22 school districts in St. Louis County, our school district ranks 18th in starting teacher salaries—well behind neighboring districts such as Lindbergh, Hancock, and Rockwood.

Our district invests time and money recruiting and developing young teachers, only to lose some of the most promising and talented among them to other school districts. Not only does this cost us money, but it also impacts our students. Teacher turnover means a lack of consistency for our kids. Our students deserve schools where the teachers know them and their families, and where the staff functions as a true team. Our students deserve the opportunity to learn from expert teachers who have learned to be great at what they do.

When our kids walk across the stage at high school graduation, in addition to the faces of family members, I also want them to see the happy smiles of teachers from their elementary and middle school years who helped them get there. That is why I will be voting yes on Prop E.

Sara Parks
Oakville