Months ago, Fred Klein solicited me to attend the latest round of meetings “Getting to Yes.” My only requirement was that school board members and the administration not attend. To me, it should be an exercise in objectivity and not an agenda steered by the school board or administration – in fact, both were participants. So I declined.

In a recent Sounder article, Fred listed all the names of the people attending the “Getting to Yes.” Of the 42 people attending, 12 of the participants were either current or past school employees or board members. While it was a huge time commitment for everyone involved, I am not really sure what this exercise really says.

I think there’s an unexplored area for funding from our school: OASIS.  According to Barbara Kline, of the “monies received for OASIS students’ education, between 15-20 percent goes back into the district.” (Sounder, Sept. 8, 2010).  We have heard repeatedly that this program is a money-maker for the school.  With 279 students in OASIS, that 15 to 20 percent represents a lot of “profits.”

Why is the “profit” money from OASIS not used for the necessary federal matching funds? Why is this money not allocated for repairs to the school?

It’s strange that you don’t hear about this extra money. The school receives state funding, levy funding (and that needs some closer scrutiny given the 205 out-of-district students) and contributions from non-profits and individuals. Short of always asking the taxpayers for additional money in the way of levies and bonds, does the school have any concept of austerity or making do with less?

Janet Knowles

Eastsound