I am writing to encourage all residents of Orcas Island to vote FOR the Phase III school bond issue in the special election February 14. Mailing of ballots is scheduled for January 27th, next Friday, so we should receive them early the following week.

Last fall, when the school board was discussing this bond issue, I was able to attend all but one meeting, and I must applaud the board’s work. Members of the board had clearly done a deep dive into the numerous issues facing the school and had thought deeply about the needs of the school and the students. While I might have argued for a larger bond, especially considering the current very low interest rate, I cannot argue against any of the projects contained within the bond.

In the interest of explaining to all of us the needs covered in this bond proposal, the school is offering tours of the campus at 4 different times, meeting at the OISD Library: Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and Monday, January 30, 3:30–5:30 p.m. I plan to participate in one of these tours, and I urge everyone else to try to find the time to do so also.

Unless and until we can convince the state government to fund public education at the legally required levels, it is up to our local school board to figure out how to provide for the education of our kids. While the current bond request may not reflect all that I would want for our school, I do want everything that it will fund. Please join me in supporting our school board, and our kids. Thank you.

Tom Baldwin

Eastsound