Orcas voters have made it clear they will not be funding a large school bond.

Instead, the school board is looking at “non-voted debt” to pay for building improvements. The money would come from federal government bonds, which could be paid off either through community fundraising efforts or a voter-approved levy or bond several years down the road. The board has not made any decisions; it will hear more about the possibility at its next board meeting.

“Does non-voted debt make me nervous? Sure it does,” said superintendent Barbara Kline. “We’re trying to respect the wishes of the community of no additional taxes at this time, but at the same time prevent further deteriation of the buildings … Plus, it’s less expensive now than it will be later.”

At its recent meeting, school board members opted to not go for a third bond any time soon, despite board member Chris Sutton’s proposal of a “phase one” $6 million bond on the February ballot.

“There is a strong group of people in this community who don’t want anything new tax-wise,” board chair Scott Lancaster said. “I’m gun-shy.”

In February of this year, a $35 million bond was narrowly rejected by voters (it earned 55 percent support, shy of the 60 percent super majority needed). In August, a slimmed down version at $27 million was also shot down (1059 yes, 1234 no). The terms of the $27 million bond was 25 years and its rate was 54 cents per $1000 assessment.

The money would have funded replacement of the middle school buildings that house the cafeteria, woodshop, library, music room and other classrooms; major repairs to the elementary and high school buildings; and construction of a vocational ed building to house current programs.

Now the school says it is faced with finding an alternate way to fund repairing the “critical” items. At its next board meeting on Dec. 23, superintendent Kline will present an outline of federally funded bond options. The total amount could be between $6 and $12 million, and it would go towards what is considered phase one of the project: replacing the elementary school’s HVAC and water system and the rotting high school building’s siding, fixing the Waldron school’s foundation, and reinforcing the middle school buildings so they are earthquake-safe.

The money would go towards matching funds for a $460,000 state energy grant to repair and replace the HVAC and plumbing in the elementary school. The grant requires a three to one match for a total amount of $1.7 million. The deadline to secure the funds is 2012.

The school is also creating a “master facilities plan” through a series of upcoming community meetings. Kline wants the “community and school staff” to craft a plan for the facilities.”

“We don’t really have a $6 million problem, we have a $27 million problem,” she said. “We aren’t done here.”

Kline is hopeful that in several years voters would approve a new bond or levy that would both pay off the non-voted debt and fund “phase two” of the campus overhaul.

“We have a duty to take care of our buildings,” Kline said. “Right now we need to stabilize things … It’s uncomfortable to be in classrooms that are too cold or too hot … the air quality is not healthy.”

During the recent snow storm, several elementary school classrooms would not come up to an acceptable temperature. New facilities manager David Johnson and his crew were required to bring in space heaters.

“It’s a lot of work to keep those rooms warm,” said k-6 principal Kyle Freeman at the school board meeting. “The system is not efficient.”