(Editor’s Note: the question before the school board on[intlink id=”11887″ type=”post”]matching grant funds[/intlink] has been placed before BullWings:Orcas Issues readers at the top of the website from April 1 to April 10. Please consider “voting” in the comment section of the informal, posted “Ballot” along with your brief comment. Thank you!)
Would you rather option 1 or 2:
1) The district plans on voter approval of a $1,000,000 capital levy and accepts $900,000 towards payment of the $1.7 million required to do plumbing, lighting and heating repairs to the elementary school, this summer?
Or
2)The District rejects the $900,000 grant and aks voters to approve a $2 million capital levy for the school improvements next year?
Is there the possibility of creating a consortium of Orcas Island funders, who would guarantee the debt service on $1M, with less restrictive repayment requirements, which could be based on actual district ability to repay year to year? In a community where we have the potential for this type of consortium, I would see this as one possible solution in this economy. In lieu of this type of solution, which would have to get organized very quickly in order not to lose the $900K, I would vote for #1.
I vote for option #1. I agree with Superintendent Kline that it does not make sense to walk away from $900,000.
Option #1– keep the 900K and go for the non voted debt in order to meet the 1.7 million bid to fix the immediate issues in the elementary school. Our children deserve to have clean air, water, hot water, and warm classrooms this next September. Still, much more needs to be done for our schools. Let us not forget that.
My husband and I (Michael Cornell) vote for option 1.
It will be very beneficial for the school board to hear the comments of
those attending the focus group meetings
held at the senior center this next week. Clyde Duke
Option One, yes!
While taking on $1M in dept is daunting, leaving $900K on the table and walking away in order to avoid the debt is extremely short sighted. The simple fact is the work needs to be done, and that means we need to figure out how to pay for it.
Option one, yes.
I wholeheartedly support option #1. The repairs being discussed cannot be postponed much longer, and there is a grant currently available covering almost 50% of the cost! I can understand the school board’s reluctance to take on non-voted debt in light of the bond elections, but I believe the community recognizes the need to assume a $1,000,000 obligation for desperately needed repairs. The community’s recent failure to support bonds costing 35 and 27 times as much should not be a factor in the board’s decision-making, as the circumstances are so vastly different. I hope the school board reconsiders its position.
I support option 1, with the school board asking the voters this fall for at least a $1 million levy.
Option 1. These repairs to the elementary school are not going to go away. Clean water, air that does not have CO2 levels beyond those recommended for schools, heated classroom space in winter — these are basic and fundamental to any learning environment. These are repairs that need to be done now and this summer. Our community has a hard earned grant for nearly half these costs. Waiting prolongs and defers the problem, AND leaves badly needed resources behind.
I look forward to hearing all available options, but at the same time feel that these are really minimum requirements that any established community should provide for their youngest community members.
Option 1. These are maintenance issues that must be completed. As a community we are responsible to complete these minimum corrective improvements. Even in hard times. We have a gift we can take advantage of, and must
Both 1 and 2. Take the grant now; do the scope of work outlined for the elementary school now.Also do safety/seismic/IAQ/heat for the 80’s bldgs, so parents/students/staff feel better about their spaces—all while we figure out the next steps, and quickly—to take advantage of lower fees and money.
Option One of course, it is the easiest on the tax payers. But if this was a real informational poll to find out what people truely felt there would be an option #3, none of the above.
None of the above. What is wrong with the water system besides the water heater? The real question here is why do we have to spend this much in the first place.
#1 gets my vote. Accept the grant and then mobilize to make the $1 million a reality at the polls. Another version of “build it and they will come.”
Option 1. It would be extravagent to reject the grant.
Whether option 1, 2, or none of the above, it is important that you make your voice heard at the upcoming school board meeting. The board is facing a very difficult decision and needs input from the public.
I enthusiastically vote for option #1. The physical environment does make a difference to student learning. It’s impossible to think of walking away from 900K to support our children’s education.
Option 1