School Ballot Issues: Renovation Bond $11.9 million;Tech Levy $200,000

Some of the visible deterioration at the Orcas Schools’ “1980s buildings.” For a fact sheet and more information go to www.orcasislandschools.org or to orcasforhealthysafeschools.com

November election ballots, mailed this week, contain two Orcas Island School District funding measures: a bond for renovation of the buildings constructed over 30 years ago  and a tech levy for equipment and services.

The bond, for $11.9 million, with a term of 20 years, is estimated  to result in a tax of  $0.26 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The proceeds of the bond will be used to renovate/repair the 1980’s buildings which include the cafeteria, music room, home ec room, middle school, and library and build the long awaited tech building

More data can be found at the Bond Committee Website: orcasforhealthysafeschools.com. OISD Superintendent Barbara Kline says, “Note that this is a pro-bond website but also has accurate data.”

The tech levy is for $200,000, with a term of two years, and is estimated to result in a tax of  $0.066 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The levy proceeds will be used to pay for technology equipment and services.

OISD School Board member Janet Brownell has said, “If you vote YES on both of these, your property tax payment will equal what you are paying today. The amount of the bond and tech levy replace the amount you are paying for a one year capital bond that retires in December. One amount replaces the other.”

The bond website,  orcasforhealthysafeschools.com,  lists in detail the problems with the “1980s buildings” that the bond will address:

• Structural issues
• Concrete work
• Doors
• Roofs
• HVAC air systems
• Internet server room
• Pipes and plumbing
• Fire alarm system
• Wiring
• Phone system
• Old gym

Measures taken by the OISD board, staff and bond proponents to minimize costs and to best obtain the desired outcomes are as follows:

• As advised by Orcas building professionals, we will use existing foundations.

• Any part of the physical structure that can be saved will be integrated into the new buildings.

• This rehabilitation will address seismic, ADA, and other health/safety concerns, as well as improve classroom space for learning.

• New, low-maintenance building materials will replace the hard-to-maintain existing structures.
• Substantial renovations of the elementary school were completed with a grant the district secured from the WA State Dept of Commerce.

• The District secured a grant for $68,584 from the state to upgrade the elementary and middle school-high school fire alarm system and replace the old gym water heater.

• Senator Kevin Ranker secured a Distressed Schools State grant for $1,000,000, which is being used to replace the failed siding on the high school; replace and flash the windows there; repair the foundation of the Waldron School.

• With support from OIEF/Farm To Cafeteria the district secured a grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation for $50,000 to purchase cafeteria kitchen equipment, replace old stoves in the home ec room, and build a food storage space. All new equipment will be moved to the renovated buildings.