School levy: Fixing schools is a necessity

Thank you for your excellent front-page coverage of the upcoming school bond (News-Times, Jan. 11).

Renovating Oak Harbor High School is an absolute necessity, not a luxury. With the facility at the end of its projected 30-year lifespan, it's no surprise that our students suffer with antiquated technology, overcrowded classrooms, crumbling ceiling tiles and an inadequate infrastructure. Surely, no one expects an aging building to last forever.

The good thing about the bond before us now is that we can take advantage of state matching funds to cover more than 20 percent of the total cost. Given our state's poor economic forecast, we have no assurance that these funds would be available in the future. We'd better grab them while we can — and rebuild our high school before construction costs climb even higher.

We have no choice as responsible citizens but to provide Oak Harbor's young people with a modern, quality school. Vote yes on the school bond March 11.

Alesa Lightbourne, Ph.D.

Oak Harbor

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