Editorial: Let Your Voice Be Heard (Whether You Have Perfect Pitch or Not)

The electorate has twice turned down a school bond for repairs and reconstruction of public school buildings. Citing the economic downturn, many bond opponents say the school district is asking for too much of their income.

As I consider the Orcas Island School District, despite the failure of the two bond measures in 2010 — and continuing challenges to local public education — the five-school district may well be the most healthy sector of our community. Why? Because of the generous volunteer spirit of education supporters, whose engagement and participation are as valid indicators of a community’s health and sustainability as business activity and production of goods.

There are the volunteer athletic coaches such as Charlie Nigretto, Jim Passer, Megan Sanders and Vicki Vandermay. There are people such as Cheryl Jackson and Greg White who got the bright idea to twice-weekly share their love of knitting and by-the-way socialization with students — and followed through on their idea; and Joe Symons who brought the XO basic computers to kids in primary grades and taught programming to them during lunchtimes;  the garden volunteers in the summer, organized through the  Farm to Cafeteria committee; the parents, grandparents and friends who help teachers in the classrooms; the members of Orcas Open Arts who invite kids to art parties and help them sculpt, draw, design and craft beautiful, lively and sometimes magnificent works of art.

School District Administration should be thanked for their receptive attitude towards “neighborhood educators” that bring life to the schools.

Beyond individuals, some far-sighted island residents have, over the years, invested great thought and considerable time towards partnership efforts to make Orcas Schools vibrant. Orcas Center, under the leadership of past Director Barbara Courtney, followed through on its commitment to bring an arts program into the schools , expressed in its Strategic Plan of 2006.

The PTSA meets monthly to coordinate events such as roller skating and movie parties on Friday evenings, welcoming events for new families, and book fairs that pack the library with kids excited about reading. The local Kiwanis Club quietly and consistently sends members to read to primary classes.

As media writer David Brooks said last Monday, “In education, many administrators are quick to cut athletics, band, cheerleading, art and music because they have the vague impression that those are luxuries. In fact, they are exactly the programs that keep kids in school and build character.”

This Sunday, the community is invited to the Music Advocacy Group’s annual benefit concert, “Music! Music! Music!” where for a free will donation,  live music is performed by musicians of all ages for the benefit of the school program. This is the Music Advocacy Group’s big annual event, highlighting their work throughout the year — tutoring young musicians, purchasing and repairing musical instruments, and often directly contributing to school music teachers’ salaries. Beyond money, they devote their time and energy to making sure music is an ongoing part of students’ education.

They do this first because they treasure the musical experience that has enriched their lives, and that — at any level — deepens and heightens the emotional, intellectual and social interaction of all who partake in music-making, be it rehearsing and performing, or listening and appreciating.

There is a generosity  that is evident at the Music! Music! Music! concerts that teaches our kids that  engagement and participation can lift your spirits, whether or not you have excellent musical talent, a great job or a healthy bank account.

The Music Advocacy Group invites everyone to a reception following the Sunday afternoon concert, and donations can be made there, or sent to Music Advocacy Group, PO Box 1171, Eastsound WA 98245.

Beyond sharing our individual “passions,” and considering our economic situation, we as a community need to secure the future of public education — specifically how to keep school facilities safe and sound, whatever the economic climate is. Later this month Fred Klein, architect, property owner, Eastsound Planning Review Committee member and grandfather, will convene a series of four community meetings, open to all, to discuss how we can make and maintain structurally-sound school buildings that are conducive to learning.

Klein says:

Just imagine…Being in a room with 59 other Orcas islanders committed to finding a way to move forward to ensure that the facilities of teh Orcas Island School District are adequate to meet our collective responsibility for the education of our community’s children…

Just imagine… Being in a space where it’s safe to express all your concerns, whether they be fears of increased taxes, loss of opportunity for your children, lack of wisdom or accountability of how school monies are spent, or whatever they may be…

Just imagine…Being part of a process where contentious issues are raised and dealt with in a non-coercive, respectful, and surprisingly gentle manner…

Just imagine… Doing the hard work to reach a consensus-decision, one which everyone may not feel is the best decision, but a decision which everyone can live with, and commit themselves not to undermine.

At a “Board Boot Camp” for non-profits, sponsored by the Community Foundation last spring, Foundation Trustees Kate Janeway and Moana Kutsche emphasized the commitment in time necessary for a group to arrive at consensus in its vision and its way forward. Klein, on his own initiative, and with the full support of the public school district board of directors, is sticking his neck out so that the community may determine what is needed at the school district, and how to get it.

So consider investing your time, insight and appreciation and joining with others this Sunday and later this month to explore what’s good and productive in our most populous joint community undertaking — public education — and lend your voice to how best to continue.

Any idea, respectfully presented, will be considered: ideas as to what works, what can work and how to make it work are all welcome and can guide the district before it approaches voters with another bond measure.

(Disclosure: BullWings editor/publisher Margie Doyle is a part-time employee as Readiness to Learn Coordinator of the Orcas Island School District).