The Orcas Island School Board (OISD) had an early start to their regular meeting on August 25 in a special, joint meeting with the Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) Board to work out the Interlocal Agreement for transference of Buck Park properties from the School Disrict to Park and Rec.
The boards are considering two legal documents: one is an agreement for 12 months; the other is a legally-binding agreement “for perpetuity.” “Right now just trying to establish a legal understanding for going forward, “ said School District Board President Janet Brownell.
The two boards had divided elements of the agreement to their board members as follows:
- Water Use – Scott Lancaster / Bob Eagan
- Maintenance/Equipment –Chris Sutton/ Bob Eagan and Ian Lister
- Use/ Scheduling — Tony Ghazel and Barbara Kline/Vicki Vandermay
- Reversion – Jim Sullivan/Jim Bredouw
The School Board agreed to give OIPRD permission to move ahead on water use agreements; the two boards reached consensus that most expenses will be shouldered 50-50 by the two tax-paying districts.
When asked when the agreement may be finalized, the public was told it may be next spring before it goes into effect.
Hi Bullwings, Speaking only as one Commissioner I have every expectation that the Buck Park deal could be finalized by the end of the year–at the latest, at least in my mind. The strategy has been the two Boards could reach consensus before we hired lawyers—so far we have made good progress down that path. The lawyering could take a bit—but certainly not months! Stay tuned; this deal is a win-win for the community.