Marilyn Heins is a Tucson pediatrician and writer.

Other articles by Marilyn Heins:

Parenting by Marilyn Heins : Farewell readers; catch me online Parenting by Marilyn Heins : Kids younger than 2 shouldn't watch TV Parenting by Marilyn Heins : Both sides of the family err in dealing with hyper child Parenting by Marilyn Heins: Don't nag; show teen good hygiene habitsParenting by Marilyn Heins: Try to relieve son's stress so he'll stop chewing clothes Parenting by Marilyn Heins : Introduce son to his dad gradually Parenting by Marilyn Heins: Try to prevent girl from banging her headParenting by Marilyn Heins: Remember, hard work and affection pay off when stepparentingParenting by Marilyn Heins: Consider child's age, maturity when discussing deathParenting by Marilyn Heins: Enjoy 3-year-old's imaginary pal

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I feel the most important election of my lifetime will take place on Nov. 4.

One of the most important items on the ballot for those voters who live in the Tucson Unified School District district is the override. Voting "yes" for the override will provide the district with funds in three vitally important areas: TUSD will be able to reduce class size, offer incentives for hard-to-fill positions, and expand the Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) program so that (after sufficient artists and arts integration specialists are trained) every elementary and middle school will be an OMA school.

I am a music lover and committed supporter of the arts in Tucson. I serve on the OMA Foundation Board. And I don't live in the TUSD voting area. Yet I am taking the time to urge all voters who live in that area to support the override.

All three provisions are important to the schoolchildren of the largest district in our community. But to me the most important reason to vote yes on the override is to expand the OMA program.

I am a pediatrician (former vice dean and professor of pediatrics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine) and parenting educator (I wrote a parenting column for this paper for more than 18 years and run a popular parenting Web site). I am passionate about the well-being, health, education, and happiness of children. I am also an involved citizen of this community and country, so I am passionate about the future of all children.

OMA is a unique arts integration program founded in TUSD schools thanks to the generosity of a Tucson benefactor, Gene Jones, and the commitment and dedication of Dr. Joan Ashcraft.

OMA works. Rigorous studies comparing children in OMA schools with non-OMA children have shown that OMA children score significantly higher in reading and math and teachers report more positive behavior. I have visited many OMA schools and have been impressed with how engaged and attentive the children are and how much they are enjoying the OMA experience while they are learning. OMA teaches students to be innovative, collaborative problem solvers — vital skills for the 21st century.

Only this year while preparing a lecture titled, "The State of the Children" which delved into current problems of the nation's children, I came across a UNICEF report comparing U.S. children with those of 20 other rich nations in six categories, including health and education. Our children rank 20 of 21.

Sadly, in many respects our schools are failing our children. Whether we look at comparisons with children of other nations, test scores or the high school dropout rate, improvement is desperately needed and needed quickly. We are foolishly squandering our human capital, the future workers we need to compete in the global economy. And, as you know, we only get one chance: Children leave school either educated or not.

How can voters in good conscience ignore the benefits of a program that works, a program that school systems all over the country are seeking to emulate? How can voters fail to support the override that expands this proven program?

How cruel to the children who don't have the advantage of an OMA school. How short-sighted to have a proven method of improving student test scores and fail to provide it to all children.

Say "yes" to the TUSD override. Vote yes on Proposition 403.