The Legislature seems to like the Oak Harbor School District.

After learning that the politicians in Olympia had included $50,000 in their budget to help finance the construction of a memorial outside of the new high school stadium, the school district moved quickly.

“Time is of the essence,” said Superintendent Dr. Rick Schulte at last Tuesday’s school board meeting.

The $50,000 for the veterans memorial, a project not included in the original stadium budget, will be added to an additional $50,000 that has been donated by the high school’s student government, Booster Club and various civic organizations.

The board approved a maximum outlay of $100,000 for the undertaking.

As the stadium construction continues to gain steam, incorporating some of the memorial into the existing stadium work will be necessary, making time irrefutably of the essence.

The memorial will include a 12-foot by 8-inch tall, five-sided bell tower sitting on a five-sided concrete base.

The structure will include a ship’s bell at the top and five cast-bronze emblems — 18 inches in diameter — representing each of the military services. Bright lights will illuminate the emblems.

Schulte explained to the board that expediency was crucial. The superintendent said he has already ordered the military seals and the lights, which will be waterproof and cool to avoid injury if touched. A conduit for the electrical lights has already been installed.

Carlos Sierra of the Seattle-based Sierra-Martin Architects has been working feverishly on the project. “I was very excited that you raised $100,000,” Sierra told the board.

After researching different materials, the architect determined that a colorless stainless steel would be the best material for the memorial. A picture of the metal drew smiles and nods from the board.

Washington Iron Works, an Oak Harbor steel fabricator, has put in a bid to build the memorial and Sierra said he hopes the project will be finished by Sept. 5.

The board’s discussion shifted to more specific details, including the logistical challenge of ringing the bell. Sierra recommended having a cord hang down to allow the bell to be rung “the old-fashioned way.”

Board member Vicki Harring suggested the memorial also honor the State Championship Wildcat Football Team.

“I think maybe we ought to put that in there somewhere,” she said.

A separate brass plaque will also adorn the memorial, listing all of the donors.