||| FROM SHARON HO and MATT VACCARELLA |||
We are writing in support of the 2021 Technology and Capital Projects levy on the upcoming April 27 ballot. This levy replaces the one approved in 2014 that expired last year, at a time when the District’s teachers, staff and students are reliant on technology for school.
When the public school closed last March because of the pandemic, we experienced a steep learning curve in the pivot to remote learning. The District, with the help of community organizations, worked to ensure teachers, staff and students had computers to use at home and reliable internet access while tackling the challenge of adapting the curriculum for online delivery.
We have watched our children become comfortable using computers for daily check-ins with their teachers and participating in virtual classrooms, including art and music. They have become adept at using different software and apps to communicate with teachers and to complete homework projects. We see the potential for technology to be used in a careful, integrated and meaningful way in the public school. We also value the importance of cultivating technology savvy and good habits. These are useful skills for all students as they will likely navigate technologically-driven realities wherever life takes them.
Funds from this levy will provide for essential renewals and upgrades to systems, software and equipment. It will help the District maintain access to technology, staff training, digital curriculum and technology-based resources for the delivery of public education, safely, securely and reliably.
Please vote ‘YES’ for this levy.
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Vote NO on these continuous excess taxes for the public schools. These ‘extra’ taxes’ never stop and the school administrators ‘always’ have some new crisis that needs more and more ‘extra’ funds – but there’s never any change in the results.
Look at the record. The island population has steadily grown – but the public school population never does. That’s because more and more people realize that if they want a proper education for their children they must either teach them at home, enroll them in a private school or organize other methods.
You do not correct a problem by throwing more money at it.
Bob- I can attest that the education that our son received at the Orcas Public Schools was better than the one I received at a tony private school in DC. Ry’s graduating class (Lucky 2013) now includes a dentist and doctor (congratulations to Drs. Mann and Zbornik), CPA’s, arborists, journalists, communications specialists, scientists, and future phycologists. All enjoyed all 12 years of primary and secondary school at OISD.
I suspect enrollment stagnation has more to do with the aging population of the island then with families opting out. We are fortunate to have good options for all of our kids.
This levy replaces an expiring levy. Our children need our support, no matter where they are enrolled. It is an investment in our future. Hope you will reconsider and join me in supporting this effort,
Our public school on Orcas Island is a MUCH stronger and more complete school today (as our boys are experiencing right now) than the one that my sister, my friends and I experienced 30 years ago (on Orcas Island). That is not at all a knock on the school that I went to, but much more meant as a compliment to the school boards, (past and present), teachers, administrators and staff who have strived and succeeded to do their jobs (thank you!)! It is also a huge thank you to the Orcas voters who over the years have overwhelmingly supported these type of levies, (which in my opinion is not at all an excess tax but a vote of confidence and support for the job that these folks who are responsible for our school are doing and have done). The public school is one of the reasons that my family has chosen to live on this island! I will be joining Hillary in voting Yes, and I hope Bob and his family will reconsider as well. (This is a replacement Levy, not a new one!)
Hilary and Andrew. I believe you missed the point. I didn’t say our school was bad. I said that throwing more money at it is not the solution to a good education. Good teachers, good books and the ‘proper’ courses are. Computers and fancy technical equipment are an aid but they do not determine the outcome of children’s education. Factually -, there are more and more children on this island every year but they are being home schooled, in the Oasis program and there is a waiting list for OCS. Why is that? This is not happening just on Orcas. Why is that?
I believe the record speaks well for itself and our investments in our future. With a little over 1,000 high schools in the state of Washington, Orcas Island is continually among the best in the state. The latest U.S. News ranking I could come across placed our high school at #32 in the state. That’s something we should all be proud of on this little rock in the middle of the Salish. That’s hard work and commitment right there.
As someone who is the product of public schools and state colleges with no children, I will be supporting this levy with open arms. If we don’t invest in our future, then what is worthy of investment?
I have voted YES on the Orcas Public School taxes, I always have. I also know Robert Waunch to be a good, community minded guy. And Robert is right in saying that “extra taxes”, or any of the other taxes never stop. People always find something that they think NEEDS money; especially on Orcas. But schools are not the place to cut back on. This is a long term investment. If education was properly funded, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I also have had first hand experience with students who have graduated from this school going on to achieve further degrees of education. ( Not meaning me of cource ).
Bob: You are full of it (and I am trying to be polite). I taught at that school for almost 20 years. It was an excellent place of learning and education with a varied and experienced staff and administration. You simply do not know what you are talking about on this subject.
In this year of a global pandemic, it is not surprising that many families have opted for OASIS and homeschooling options. OCS also opted to continue to provide in person learning which was a welcomed option for some families. All of these options, as well as the public school require a level of technology to support education. Providing adequate funding to maintain good technology is hardly throwing money away. It is an investment that will continue to pay off as this generation transitions into leadership.
Bob, I don’t think I missed the point, not sure that Hilary did either! You said to vote NO, and I am saying to vote YES that is a big point! Is the current school budget ‘throwing money at the eduction problem on Orcas Island? … are there too many computers/too much technology being used at school today? (that is a big point that you are making) On another post related to the levy, I asked Ken Wood where he would suggest to cut this quantity of money? I would ask Bob the same thing… The point that you try to make by not renewing this levy (by voting No) would effectively take money away from the school (they would have to do what they are doing now with less money because this Levy is REPLACING an expiring one not adding to our existing taxes!). I agree with John, I respect Bob very much, and all he has done for this community… I just don’t agree with him on this issue and I hope that fellow voters will be voting Yes!
Everyone; thanks for your comments.I have always thought that Orcas High School has done a good job – I never indicated it didn’t. I just pointed out the fact, as one comment indicated, that there is ‘always’ something that some entity or person wants to fund because it’s a ‘good’ cause. I’m asking, “When does it end?” Is it ever enough? Organizations should be required to live within their budget – and the future of our High School students is not dependent on always having the latest renewed, improved, got to have, etc. gadget. It’s the quality of good inspirational teachers, teaching good basic courses that dictates the end product. Can anyone really disagree?
Bob,
I fear that I too miss your point. What is the problem at which you feel money is being thrown? In your original comment, you don’t say. And your follow up comments don’t help either.
Orcas should be very proud of our public schools. OISD does an excellent job with a minimal budget. Unlike private schools, OISD and all public schools take all comers, and some students cost more to educate than others. Private schools have a luxury not shared by public schools. Nonetheless, public schools, and OISD in particular, do an outstanding job, especially when one considers that we, the voting public, do not provide the support that they need and deserve.
I will vote YES, and I urge everyone to do so. Sorry Bob. On this issue I have to disagree.
Bob,
I fear you are missing the big picture. This Levy is replacing an expiring Levy…. It is not necessarily adding additional operating funds to the budget, but providing replacement funding for capital expenditures that will last for multiple years.
It is a fact that technology has a shelf life, just like food. If you don’t replace it, it doesn’t provide the function it is designed for. It is also a fact that technology has become more and more important in all aspects of our daily life, including education, health care, finances, transportation, entertainment, you name it.
If we do not fund it, we are short-changing future generations, and our country’s future as well.
I urge everyone, including you, to vote YES.