Here’s a thought…
Guest Opinion: Support Orcas Schools’ Tradition of Planning Ahead
By the Orcas Island School District Board of Directors In the 1940's the island school enrollment was around 100 students. Orcas residents recognized the need to build a new school. At the time, the island economy
Letter to the Editor: Voter’s Guide for Aug. 17 Election Is Online Only
Our primary election day is coming up on August 17, and ballots are going out in the mail this week. Since the state did not send out printed Voter Guides for this primary election, I
Guest Opinion: Orcas Alumni and Teacher Speaks to Bond Issues
By Corey Wiscomb After reading both Janet Knowles’ guest column and Chris Bultler’s letter to the Editor in the July 7th, 2010 issue of The Sounder I felt compelled to reply to statements made by
Guest Opinion: Explanation of Orcas K-12 Enrollment Headcount from 2000 to 2009
By Barbara Kline, Superintendent, Orcas Island School District Here is a table that shows the enrollment over time. I decided to start it in October 2000 which is the year before OASIS was started. Because
Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes for Schools in August
Growing up with a father who was a Superintendent of Schools in a district of small schools, the largest of which was about the size of Orcas, and with a mother and siblings all teachers
Guest Opinion: Accuracy and Transparency in School Bond Process is Paramount
Scott Lancaster Orcas Island School District Board President I'd like to clear up a few things that have appeared in the Sounder. Keith Whitaker has responded very effectively online, and in the paper to Janet
Guest Opinion: Accuracy is Essential to Informed School Bond Debate
By Keith Whitaker, Business Manager (part-time) Orcas Island School District There are significant inaccuracies and wrong assumptions in Janet Knowles guest column in last week's Islands Sounder [reprinted below] regarding transparency in the school bond
Guest Opinion: Data on the School Bond Measure
By Janet Knowles (Please see editorial note below, following this opinion) Bond Transparency This Bond proposal is huge in good times, but inconceivable in hard economic ones. In my experience as a school Business Manager
Letter to the Editor: Joys of a “Staycation”
It seems it's only when friends or family show up that I think to do the "touristy" things. One adventure I'd missed since moving here was to go on a whale watch trip. I booked
Letter to the Editor: Book Exchange a Success!
On June 26th the first community Homeschool Book Exchange was held at the public library. Participants were encouraged to bring items that were gently used and recycle them for materials they were seeking for next
Guest Opinion: Why Vote to Raise Taxes in a Terrible Economy?
By Norm Stamper Having spent three and a half decades in law enforcement, I have some thoughts about what makes for a safe, prosperous and healthy community. It starts, not surprisingly, with family: Every child
Letter to the Editor: Thanks to All for a Great Parade!
To all of our kids, teachers, parents, graduates and friends: A huge round of thanks to you all for helping to make this a memorable Parade. You did a great job of showing
Letter to the Editor: Lopezians Want Park As It Is
Dear Editors, Stan Matthews sent you an email with an attachment of a News Release from San Juan County called "Return the Grants for Odlin Park Improvements?" What they failed to tell you is why so
Letter to the Editor: Library Board Welcomes Summer Visitors
Part of the fun of being on vacation is having the opportunity to discover new places and participating in everyday local events. With this in mind, the Orcas Island Library Board would like to invite summer visitors to
Guest Opinion: The Cost of Waiting on the School Bond
Printed July 7, 2010 Reprinted upon request By Joe Cohen While attending the 4th of July parade on Saturday I stopped at the school bond booth – and had a lively discussion with a host of
