Touring Orcas School Grounds

— from Maryse Sagewynd —

A small group tour of Orcas Island school buildings and grounds with Superintendent Eric Webb provided detailed understanding of the school’s critical needs which would be corrected through the financing of the school bond levy. “The public has told us that it wants old infrastructure to be modernized and upgrades to be done well to last a long time, and that the school district should not scrimp to just get by,” Webb told the tour group.

Mandatory renovations and upgrades to plumbing, sprinkler and heating systems, safety features and crumbling exteriors are some of the most urgent conditions. The high school has corroded iron plumbing pipes – some of which are embedded in concrete floors – failing restroom plumbing and sewer lines, and worn-out, leaking rubber gaskets. Webb discussed the damage caused by the 2014 flooding in the elementary school, making it clear that prevention of further water damage is critical. Roof repair, the fire suppression system and a fire pump are included in the plans, as is the heating system, part of which is failing so that students have to wear coats in their classrooms.

Other safety measures include electronic door openers and upgrading of the school road surface, replacing tile floors and carpeting that are in disrepair, upgrading some wall surfaces to conform to fire code, replacing an exterior boardwalk, and replacing stair coverings and baseboards in the elementary school.

The addition of a new elementary music/multi-purpose room appears to be important for both learning and safety, since the current small music room is half-filled with stored instruments. With the addition of students and their instruments, exiting the crowded conditions could be problematic in case of fire. More elbow room is literally important for both the musicians and their teacher. A new music room, to be added to the current band room building, would free up the current music classroom for other uses.

The Old Gym, heavily used by both pupils and public, has its own safety issues with a slippery floor surface at the end of its lifespan. The old wooden floor, which can no longer be sanded without damage, would be replaced with a fresh wooden floor. The locker rooms, restrooms and equipment would be remodeled and reconfigured and their floors refinished, and the old wooden bleachers and exit doors replaced.

The bond funds would correct deferred maintenance of interiors and exteriors with replacement of some rotten siding and gutter/downspouts, paint, flooring finishes, replacement of wire glass in doors, and restroom improvements. The addition of a vestibule at the high school main entrance will aid in energy conservation, keeping cold air from flooding the commons lobby each time the doors are opened.

The proposed rubberized, permeable-surface track would be fully available to the public for walking, especially helpful for those who need flat surfaces for conditioning and rehabilitation or in wheelchairs. There would be low-level lighting for safety, but not large floodlights. Football games would still be held only in daytime. A low fence surrounding the track would prevent cars from entering.

The plan is to build out the eastern edge of the field enough to accommodate the track and a new grass field for soccer and football. The proposed track builder is Seattle firm D.A. Hogan.

In terms of field maintenance, Webb pointed out that there is already an endowment not being used presently but available for future expenses.

For the long term, Webb said that the school district keeps in mind the overall school grounds complex for future use and expansion, in determining the needs of the students, their schools, and the community.