School bond: Answers point to a yes vote

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Oak Harbor High School’s need for renovation is complex and difficult to put into a sound bite. Construction started on most of the six connected buildings in 1972, but a major addition was tied into the existing infrastructure (roof, electrical, plumbing, etc.) in 1991. The result is an integrated tangle of failing systems attempting to perform functions for which they were never designed (support of the internet and PCs; halls and common areas built to accommodate 1,200 now overflowing with 1,800 students; heating, electrical, and plumbing demands exceeding safe limits and subject to routine breakdown, for example).

I would urge everyone to fully educate themselves on the high school’s complicated challenges and the school board’s comprehensive solution, and avoid being swayed by arguments of distraction. To those of us without the time to fully research the issue, please ask yourself a few simple questions and let common sense be your guide:

* Does it make sense that a school building designed to be renovated in 30-years might need a renovation after 34-years? Yes.

* Do virtually all school districts wait on spending the $3.5 million (in our case) for project design and competitive bidding until after their respective community approves funding for the general concept? Yes.

* Can you disagree with the order of the stadium and high school elections (as I do), yet see the real need for both, and not sacrifice our children’s education to make a political point? I hope yes.

Do you want a positive future that moves Oak Harbor forward? Please vote yes on May 16.

Peter Hunt

Oak Harbor