Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: Come to Hear of the “Journeys that Shape Our Lives”
Dear Friends, As part of the Orcas Island Historical Society and in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute, Nancy Wang has pulled together a "Journey Stories" program called "Journeys That Shape Our Lives" on Saturday, August
Letter to the Editor: Fix Schools NOW for Immediate Need, Low Rates and Future Professionals
We are writing to you as two teachers at Orcas Schools who work in all of the buildings and serve students K-12th grade. We know firsthand the condition of the elementary, middle, high, and Waldron
Letter to the Editor: Sheriff’s Race Has 4 Good Candidates
I find that I too must add my name to the growing list of San Juan Co. Sheriffs Department employees who DO NOT support Asher for Sheriff. I have been with the Sheriffs Office for
Letter to the Editor: Teachers Ask for Bond Support
We believe the process the school board undertook was thorough and thoughtful. We believe in the success of our students. We believe in a safe and clean learning environment. We believe public education is an
Letter to the Editor: School Bond Enriches Entire Community
Understanding the logistics of the school bond has been a challenge for me. My job as a Librarian means that I have to do the research and check the facts. Here are the facts. For
Guest Opinion: For 54 Cents or Less
By Barbara Kline Superintendent/Principal, Orcas Island School District For five years we have been studying the condition of our buildings. Thanks to the many experts who have worked with us, and the many committees we
Letter to the Editor: Children Excel Despite School
I will be voting no on the school bond despite the tent revival evangelism of its proponents. Tens of thousands of schools in this country are in the same position the Orcas schools are in.
Letter to the Editor: Respect Neighbors’ Right for Information
Dear Editor, I'm writing to ask whoever has been taking down the “Kalb for Congress” yard signs to please stop doing that. It's theft, and goes against our democracy. These signs have disappeared from three
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
