Don't mail that ballot yet

by ED SUTTON

The Orcas School Board is asking that voters approve a bond issue that will provide funding for much-needed capital improvements on buildings that have deteriorated over the past 30 years, and to construct new replacement facilities necessary to provide for implementation of a quality educational program.

This is a complex issue, as the size of the bond is far larger than any considered in the history of the school district.

I attended a PTSA meeting recently to better understand the need for this project. Two clarifications were made which explained that the board had concluded these proposed facilities will be needed to provide for the educational program that is planned for the future. The architect explained that the expanded facilities would only increase the existing classroom space by some seven percent.

It would not seem that the project is too expansive or overly ambitious. However, every request for public funding tends to include “fluff” or “wish lists.” A good example in this case is the request for a running track or artificial turf on the ball fields. These ideas have been voted down several times in the past.

So, is it prudent to vote against a much-needed bond in order to eliminate unnecessary “pork,” or should the bond be passed with the expectation that the excesses can be eliminated later?

The board needs bonding AUTHORITY in order to proceed. My preference would be to approve the bond with a commitment from the board that this is an ongoing project and that the community can continue to participate in refining the detail of the proposals. Perhaps a community advisory committee like the Budget Advisory Committee or the County’s Ferry Advisory Committee would provide a forum for continuing participation by interested persons.

The aspect of this matter that concerns me the most is a sense that the post-WWII traditions that caused my grandfather’s generation and that of my father to support the educational needs of the generations to follow has been lost. The financial situation in our country is now so precarious that those older members of our community rightly have concerns about their ability to continue funding their own future. This is a vexing issue because it undermines the ability of our schools to provide the quality education that we all want for our children and grandchildren.

During the past several decades, this community has generously approved several bond issues to construct new school facilities. Because our resources were limited in the old days, we never had enough money to do the job right. We all did the best that we could and we are now having to correct our shortcomings.

I would not deign to suggest how you might each vote. These are trying times financially, and we must each assess our own ability to participate in this cause. After considerable thought, and discussion with board and community members, I will vote to approve this bond request with the proviso that I expect the school board to provide a forum for continuing participation of the community in this project.

Ed Sutton is a former Orcas School Board member.

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