The Oak Harbor School Board needs to send a clear message about how to present construction bonds to voters later this year or perhaps next year.

There is no doubt that the school district needs a replacement for Memorial Stadium and other athletic field improvements; or that the high school needs a major overhaul and refurbishing for the sake of safety, space and modernity. But should voters be asked to approve bonds in a single election, or in two elections?

The answer without question is two elections. First to the polls should go the stadium election. The Oak Harbor Rotary Club is halfway to its goal of raising $1 million to partially fund a new Memorial Stadium. Rotary members want a straight up-or-down vote on the stadium, and they deserve it. It’s not too much to ask for all the work club members have done. This November is a good time for the stadium election.

The second election for the school remodeling should wait until early next year. Voters will likely support the stadium issue thanks to the Rotary’s involvement, and that positive momentum will carry over to the school remodel election. Don’t risk confusing or angering voters with two spending proposals on a single ballot.

The school board should formally fix a stadium election for November so more time isn’t wasted discussing other options.