Plain and simple: the facilities at the Orcas Island school are inadequate. The middle school complex is not up to code and needs to be replaced for safety reasons. The siding on the high school is deteriorating and unrepairable. The ancient plumbing in the elementary school needs replacement. One could leave it at that, but even more is at stake.

Our unique situation on Orcas highlights our fundamental obligation to fund education and yes, educational facilities. The future strength of our community, and security of our local economy depends heavily upon innovative business owners, competent workers, enterprising community leaders and creative artists. These very people are the present and future students at Orcas schools. Any future outcome in our community directly relates to the knowledge and skills that Orcas students gain today.

As someone who has attended Orcas schools and graduated last year, I know how profoundly important the programs of the elementary, middle and high school are. I also understand how the current facilities are an obstacle in delivering these vital programs. For instance, despite exceptional and dedicated instructors, the OASIS and Voc Ed programs are prevented from reaching their full potential by a sheer lack of physical space. The existing middle school building is poorly designed, has extremely high energy costs and presents health and structural hazards. The cheap siding on the high school poses a risk to the longevity of the building. We face a clear choice of either addressing these problems now or waiting until the situation is even more costly and precarious.

If you have not already, I strongly encourage you to support our schools by voting to approve the school bond. There is no doubt in my mind that this investment in the school’s facilities will increase the opportunities of Orcas students and in turn pay significant dividends in our community.

Julian Glasser

Class of 2009