— from Justin Paulsen —
The Orcas Island School District has placed before the voters a proposal seeking funding for many important and critical projects. I fully support OISD in completing the critical repairs and upgrades to the physical plant. In fact, in the final analysis, I am left to wonder why some of the critical items originally identified by the district, and presented to community and staff as requiring necessary repair, were left off the list. In deciding on the final bond project list, the district chose to remove items which not only had universal public and staff support, but also left off critical uncompleted infrastructure carryovers from the original construction of the High School in 1991. The exclusion of these items comes at the expense of adding a new Track and Field to the campus.
The District has championed the Track and Field as a boon to the District because with the promise of its construction comes a $1 million gift to assist with the construction costs. That is a phenomenal gift, except that the gift generates a $1.36 million obligation of taxpayers funds to complete the project. That is $1.36 million that will not be spent repairing and replacing the Elementary School windows and failing concrete lintels, $1.36 million that will not be spent completing the never completed High School parking lot and $1.36 million that will not be spent configuring the Elementary School classrooms to meet the current educational needs of the teachers and students. Despite Staff and Community surveys which rank each of those items as being of greater importance than the addition of a new track and field, the district has opted to exclude them in favor of the track. Further, the gift obligates the district for the foreseeable future by creating a facility that will require an estimated $20-40k annually in currently unbudgeted maintenance and upkeep expenses that will be added to their already underfunded maintenance budget.
And so, while I believe that there are many items of critical importance in the upcoming school bond proposal that desperately need funding, for the first time as a resident of Orcas Island, I will be voting against a school bond. My unwillingness to approve the bond is not rooted in a disdain for taxes nor is it rooted in any ill-will towards the school. It comes in a hope that by rejecting this bond we can send a message to the District that we need their priority to be focused on the maintenance and preservation of our existing assets for the decades to come, not building for building’s sake.
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Justin, thank you for sharing this. We believe in our school system, but I have to agree with your synopses, that this tact is not what I support… I appreciate the boards intent, but will also be voting no on this this go around.
We support our school, but not with this all or nothing approach.
Thanks for vocalizing this view point.
Clyde Duke
Clyde Duke.
The track should be a community project on school property, and the balance needed in excess of the 1 mil donation funded by a community fund raising project. When completed, the Orcas Chamber of Commerce could sponsor the annual Orcas Relays Invitational as a tourist attraction.
I think you’ve expressed my reservations about this levy very well Justin. While I am a supporter of our school system, I do not think this levy is prudent or well-designed, and will be voting against it.
Just to be clear. The full cost of a track is covered by the gift of $1 Million. The Board has decided to include needed renovations and improvements to all of the fields when this work is done, which is the additional funding Justin references. The family that is donating the track has ALSO already donated an endowment of $1.2 Million that will generate $50-60,000 annually in unrestricted funds for OISD. This will provide ample support for both maintenance and improvements, not only to the athletic fields, but for programs and buildings as well. I appreciate that the School Board has done a great job creating a long term process for both maintaining and enhancing our campus. This request is a great next step.
Thanks Hilary for that clarification. I will still bet that the track will be used in majority by the community, not the school, and should be a community project built on school grounds. Also, as I think Hilary implies, most 6 lane tracks have a max cost of something less than a million dollars. How much less will depend on the extent and cost of the site preparation. The board has done a very thorough job to this point but they will not get the support they need for approval by trying to convince us that we ignore the cost and only look at the need Whether we like it or not, the real world has just become a lot more real and for people whose wherewithal is being threatened, a significant jump in tax load is problematic at best.
My friends and neighbors know I’m a big supporter of our local schools…and…Justin lays out a very credible position regarding the upcoming bond. Conversations I’ve had w/(some) of those in the know indicate a different allocation of costs for the track than that which Hillary describes, but there’s undoubtedly some grey area.
I’m personally doubtful of any significant community use of the track…I find it hard to imagine that the Hearty Hikers will forgo their wooded trails for laps around a synthetic cinder track…perhaps I lack imagination, but at present the track looks more like a white elephant than a tangible addition to island lifestyle.
But I’ve been wrong before.
I know I am not the only one in this community that is regularly amazed and thankful for how much Justin and his family do for this island and our kids. I have witnessed many of the countless hours he has given to Orcas Island. With that said I must respectfully disagree with his conclusion that we vote no on this upcoming Bond issue. I know that on an online discussion I will not sway his vote or maybe Clyde’s or Brian’s, but I do hope that those that are considering to vote “No” would consider one more thing. The marvelous, and generous philanthropic family that has made countless significant donations to this community would like to add another…this new, all weather track will provide a safe training surface for PE classes and cross training for the school sports programs, whether or not there is ever a track team). Since the family would like to add another gift (that costs this community nothing in new taxes) let us be gracious and accept this gift, by voting YES on the school bond.
And I for one, would just like to say that it is important that we have these conversations, that we engage and that in the end, we may disagree. And that is fine. To often, especially with discussions at the school level, it is hard to have honest, open conversations. It is unfortunate, but our Districts not to distant past involved a heavy dose of fear and retribution to anyone who chose not to tow the party line. I believe that we are on an uptick, but there is still work to do.
I appreciate the feedback, both positive and negative. Andrew and I may not see eye-to-eye on this issue, but the discussion is part of what allows the facts to come out. We can both have the same best interests at heart and reach different conclusions. At the end of the day, our kids will still be playing on the same field (whichever it might be).
I encourage everyone in the community to ask questions, engage, verify information. For my part, if I have made a comment or presented information that you question, please let me know. I’d be happy to meet and share what I have with you.
Just for the record, I will vote “yes” on the school levy, notwithstanding my disagreement with parts of the levy and the way it is presented. Withholding critical improvements in the condition of the property seems to me to be delivering the wrong message to the wrong people.
And for Fred and his “white elephant”, both the doctors and therapists I have talked to agree there are lot more people on Orcas Island who as a daily routine need a flat, level all weather surface to walk on than residents running up and down Mt. Constitution once in awhile. A track fills that bill very nicely.
I wish the track wasn’t on the school levy because it doesn’t need to be but it is and in the end, if approved, the benefit doesn’t change. I’m not sure what happens to the track if the levy is not approved.
I was originally opposed to the track but after attending some school meetings and listening to parents and teachers and doing my own research I have made an “about face”.
Fred, you lacking imagination? Ha! Ha! But I think you may be wrong on this one. Your description “a synthetic cinder trail” doesn’t paint a pretty picture for a nature lover’s hike. But I have to remember at the old age of 21 learning how to walk again in a hospital and being so very grateful for a smooth path(hallway floors) to walk on, AND knowing that if I fell, someone would see me and help pick me up.
The bond gets my vote and I am glad the track is on it! I believe it will be used by many walks of life(pun intended)
Maggie
Maggie