||| FROM BEA VON TOBEL |||
In order to help me decide how to vote on the levy, I have the following questions:
- What does OISD project as the annual funds to be made available through this levy, starting in 2022?
- Since the printed levy information states that ‘a portion of the funds . . . will allow OISD to complete some of the work that was approved by voters under the recent construction bond, but that was beyond the scope of what costs would allow’, I would like to see a prioritized list of what that capital work would encompass through the life of the levy until 2028, the projected costs of each item, and the increase from the original levy projections.
- I would also like to see the percentage of funding going to capital projects v. technology.
- What has SJC projected for property values on Orcas through the end of the levy cycle?
- What are the ‘ongoing small projects to increase security and protect and preserve the new facilities’? My interpretation is that these would be capital projects, and there is no information provided to note that any of this funding is related to technology. Please provide a prioritized list of these ‘ongoing small projects.’
Thanks for providing this information.
Those are all good questions. I have yet to see a detailed response to any voter who has asked for a fuller explanation of how these levy funds would be spent, on this forum or any other. If you receive a response, please share it. Transparency on this issue would help those of us who want to support improved technology for education, but also wish to understand how these funds are allocated.
Bea,
It appears that a lot of questions seem to be answered right here: http://orcasislandschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=362399&pageId=36836084
I might add, given the rising costs in housing and construction these days, there is logic behind the deflation of the original bond not meeting its entire scope. Let’s remember, the first bond failed, the second bond failed, and the 3rd (very much reduced) bond finally passed. That was for the initial construction of the CTE spaces and the middle school. Yet SO much more still needed to be addressed. Since that time another bond failed and then yet another reduced amount passed. The needs of the school facilities don’t go away they just get postponed and THEN, because of not voting yes, we all wind up paying higher rates when that happens.
We have to trust that our district administrators and school board members are being fiscally responsible. Just as important: OISD is doing a good job teaching our children. I’m voting YES, and I urge the rest of our community to do so as well.
For more information on the Orcas Island School District levy, contact:
Keith Whitaker kwhitaker@orcas.k12.wa.us or
Eric Webb at (360) 376-1501 or by email at ewebb@orcas.k12.wa.us.
The school does a good job of keeping us informed through their website. If you have questions about the levy, go to the link that Kari Schuh referenced. You will find answers there. And if anyone needs any more information, the place to get it is from the district office. That is much more efficient, and will get answers for you more quickly and accurately than a comment will.